Jobs, security top agenda as Duke, Moghalu, Sowore, others debate

Job creation, infrastructural development and the security of lives and property were three dominant agendas at the presidential debate organised by TVC Communications at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Abuja.

The debate featured six presidential candidates namely, Donald Duke of Social Democratic Party (SDP); Kingsley Moghalu of Young Progressives Party (YPP); and Omoyole Sowore of African Action Congress (AAC).

Others included Fela Durotoye of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN); Tope Fasua of Abundant Renewal Nigerian Party (ARNP); and Yusuf Sani of Action Democratic Party (ADP).

Moghalu said Nigeria had not been able to make any economic progress because the leaders lacked basic economic philosophy, vision and policy, which has made it impossible to develop infrastructure and create jobs.

“Despite over US$12 billion dollars borrowed by the current government, there are neither infrastructure nor jobs,” he said.

The SDP candidate and former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, claimed that over 70 per cent of Nigerians are either unemployed or underemployed, adding that if elected, he would localise power generation and transmission as the foundation of modern life.

Durutoye, who contended that unemployment in Nigeria is man-made, being used by the ruling elite to continuously impoverish the masses, added that, “any nation that does not manufacture cannot create jobs.”

For Tope Fasua of ARNP, Nigeria lacks the relevant data for meaningful planning and development, hence, “Nigeria is in 180km/ hour in reverse gear of underdevelopment.”

Yusuf Sani of ADP claimed that Nigeria is still enmeshed in recession despite government’s claim to the contrary.