Must They Deny Everything? Last week, the African Development Bank released a report which showed that poverty increased in Nigeria in the 14 years that the PDP has been in power. This report of course tallies with similar reports from several respected global institutions. Besides, Nigerians do not need any report to know that the only real achievement of the successive PDP governments at the federal level in the last 14 years has been the deepening of poverty in spite of the very good prices crude oil has attracted since 1999. Before the PDP came to power on May 29, 1999, crude oil prices under General Abacha and Abdulsalami hovered around $20 per barrel, sometimes even much less. But it was under Obasanjo that the price got as high as $140 per barrel. It currently sells for $106 per barrel. Yet, poverty and unemployment since 1999 have continued to rise. The recent World Bank report actually said unemployment rate in Nigeria increased from 12 per cent of the working age population in 2006 to 24 per cent in 2011 under President Jonathan and went further to declare that the official definition of employment in Nigeria is unusual and therefore not comparable to what obtains in most countries. What that means in plain English is that Nigeria’s current unemployment rate in real terms could be more than 50 per cent. Recently, there was a vacancy for 10 people in a well-known establishment, and 10,000 qualified people applied. Many PhDs have applied to be truck drivers with the Dangote Group. The chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, himself said so not long ago. As usual, the presidency has denied the AfDB poverty report on Nigeria. But must they deny everything no matter how silly such denials may sound? Friends of the presidency should advise them to stop making a fool of themselves. Maybe the PDP mandarins need to know that Nigerians have renamed the PDP “Poverty Development Party”. I hope this helps the PDP to refocus and restrategise, especially now that there is a real alternative platform, instead of lying to themselves.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 15:16:08 +0000