Nigeria’s economy may collapse after elections, REC warns | The Guardian Nigeria News

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, has warned that the country may go into big recession after 2023 election if care is not taken.

Omorogbe expressed worry over the way government at all levels and politicians channel the nation’s resources towards the forthcoming elections rather than focus on ensuring peace, security, food sufficiency , power, enabling environment for jobs and businesses to thrive and other basic social amenities, which are responsibilities of government.

The REC, who expressed shock at the way the country is short down because of the elections, said Nigeria still has over four months to the elections.

Omorogbe, who spoke in a chat with The Guardian in Uyo, called on government to take up new projects that would develop the country and focus on security of lives of the people and provide social amenities.

He said only the living would vote, hence government should tackle hunger in the land to enable the electorate live to witness the elections.

Omorogbe said INEC server has been fortified to prevent hackers and added that there would be physical copies of results to double check all transmitted results. His office, according to him, will receive more PVCs this month and carry mass sensitisation of the people.

He said: “Election is just part of daily affairs but election should not be everything in the country. The country is at a standstill at this point, which is unfortunate. We have pressing and challenging issues, such as insecurity, banditry, hunger, unemployment, decaying educational system to mention a few. The only thing that borders government and politicians now is the forthcoming election while there is hunger in the land. This is wrong.

“Everything I hear now is about election, whereas election should be minor. The country cannot stand still waiting for a new government to come in next year June as opposed to taking care of things and fixing the country because the best way is to fix issues when you see them, action rather than just talking. They started these things about five months ago with party congresses and we’ll do that till March next year.

The country will be in a serious recession if all focus is on elections, if care is not taken. I studied economic management and I know what it actually takes to develop a country. This is not the best way, stopping the country from running for days because of forthcoming elections will cause reduction in GDP. Politicians should come up with new projects rather than gearing resources towards elections. Government and politicians should dig our country out of trenches as opposed to talking about elections.”

Earlier, Omorogbe called on the electorate not to vote for candidates based on political parties, tribe, or religion but vote for candidates with positive antecedents as builders.

The REC said his goal is to make sure he is not instrumental in giving people bad leaders and called on politicians to convince the people based on how they intend to improve their lives.