– Scores Buhari Administration high
The House of Representatives member for Okigwe South Federal Constituency, Deacon Chike Okafor, has explained why he won’t be contesting for Okigwe senate position,expected to hold soon.
Speaking with Newsmen in Owerri over the weekend, Okafor appreciated all those, particularly the traditional rulers who appealed to him to join the race, attributing their plea as show of love and confidence reposed in him especially by his constituents and Okigwe zone at large.
He averred that Okigwe zone parades very credible people to replace Uwajumogu but hinted that he is waiting for his party to settle for a candidate, assuring to lead campaign of his party’s choice candidate.
Speaking further, Okafor regretted how politics and 2019 have divided the zone like never before. He said, “I am concerned about the division among the political class. In the case of late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, court had barely concluded his case before he died, three months after.
“Today, we are back to the field. In my own case, you saw how it played out. Part of the reason I would not want to join the race is should I contest, my seat will become vacant, thereby creating room for politicians to heat up the tempo again. We don’t need that now. We need peace in Okigwe zone”, Okafor stated.
The economist turned lawmaker used the opportunity to debunk the insinuations that had Ex-President Jonathan won election in 2011, the economy would have been better. He said, while Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala was minister under Jonathan, she had warned of the looming financial crisis and advised the then government to diversify and reduce sole dependency on oil.
He maintained that the economy of the Nation would have been worse if Jonathan was re-elected, considering the fact that majority of the key players in Janathan’s administration were fond of “chopping money”. According to him, it is not like that in Buhari’s administration, where accountability is the watch word.
Hon Okafor revealed that the problem facing Nigeria now is understandable, “at present, oil is less than 29 dollar per barrel compared to what it was when budget was prepared which was 33 dollar”. He maintained that it is irrational to accuse the President of borrowing irresponsibly.
On health sector, Okafor said that he is worried about sector.He sai, as House committee Chairman of Health in the 8th Assembly, I moved motion that state of emergency be declared on health sector which yielded fruits and led to additional 10% to the annual budget for health sector”.
