2019 Polls: NDP Presidential Candidate Promises Constant Electricity - Makes Case for Free, Fair Election

A Presidential Candidate of Nigeria for Democracy, NFD, Dr. Asukwo

Mendie Archibong has said that if voted into Office, he will ensure
constant power supply as one of the major drivers of the nation
economy, noting that no nation can achieve any meaningful development
without constant electricity.
Dr. Archibong stated this yesterday in Uyo while interacting with
members of the press. He expressed disappointment that Nigeria is the
only Country on the world that has given up in terms of power supply.
According to him, “for any country to achieve any meaningful
development, constant power supply is very essential”.
“This is the only Country in the world that has given up in terms of
power supply. We know the challenges but our leaders do not have the
political and financial will to solve them.”
“In every developed economy, you have five sources of power generation
but Nigeria generates from only thermal source. We have negligible
generation from hydro and this should not be so which is the reason we
should diversify our generation sources.”
“Solar power is gradually becoming a part of our homes. We can
industrialize this. We can use the River Niger. With proper planning,
we can develop hydro power. Even students know these theories of power
generation and all we need to do is to practicalize it”.
The Presidential hopeful stressed that there is no incentive to
generate power and that even the distribution is equally a serious
challenge.
“Once we have constant power, we can apply it to the economy,” he said.
Dr. Archibong said that he would strengthen the primary sector economy
through diversification from oil to agriculture. He equally promised
to remove oil subsidy because it is a scam and push the funds to a
sector like the transportation.
Speaking on the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of
Universities, ASUU, Dr. Archibong described it as “distributing”. He
blamed it on too much interference in the educational sector by those
who do not which the younger generation well.
He noted with dismay that Nigerian students would have competed very
well with students in other Countries of the world. “This is three
months and counting and the students are losing their academic time.
Private Universities are still going on and they have to compete with
these ones. Parents are suffering financial burden. Again, do not
forget that the students pay rents and some have expired without them
completing their studies and they will have to pay again,” he noted.
Archibong called on the Federal Government and ASUU to go back to the
negotiating table in the interest of the students and parents. He ,
however promised to ensure proper funding of the education sector for
a better future. “As President, I will ensure more funding to the
sector. I will ensure that libraries are built and facilities put in
place.”
Reacting to the ongoing trial of the suspended Chief Justice of
Nigeria, Justice Walter Onneghen, Dr. Archibong called on the Federal
Government to quickly withdraw the case. He noted that the occupier of
that office can’t be removed by a lower court. While berating the
acting CJN, Justice Tanko Umar for allowing himself to be used by the
executive arm, he called for a disciplinary action against him. He
also said that the action of President Muhammadu Buhari is a breach of
Constitution of Nigeria.
On the forthcoming general elections, Dr. Archibong called for free
and fair exercise and warned foreign countries against
interference.“We must not have any foreign country interfere in the
elections,” he warned.
Our correspondent reports that Dr. Archibong formed NDP and so far,
the party is making great impact in 23 States in the Country.