‘Economy may suffer beyond 2019’

The Grand Patron of the Legacy Group International (LGI), a non-governmental organisation, Dr. Kenny Martins, has said the economy, which experienced a horrendous time last year, may suffer beyond May 29.

Martins, who said his submission was based on facts and experiences, explained that you could not have a campaign for national elections and still give the economy full attention.

“Even the drivers of the economy take a holiday, they take a break because they are watching for who will win, what policies he will drive, and how they affect their actions. So, they wait for campaign promises and talks. It’s only after they have listened to them and silently pray for their candidates that whoever wins becomes the centre of their focus and the fulcrum for economic development.

“To this extent, nothing can be done about the economy until the next set of leadership emerges in terms of presidency and governorship.”

Martins, who addressed reporters in Lagos, regretted that the country was yet to get it right with its budget, which he said contributes to economic failure.

He said: “We don’t know why budgets cannot be presented in August, debates continue till November while ratification and ultimate pronouncement of the emergent takes place last week of December or the first week in January.

“But one day, Nigeria will get matured enough democratically and get it right.”

For this year’s elections, Martins promised that some members of Legacy Group were undergoing training with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and would return ahead of the 2019 polls, to train volunteers on election monitoring.

“Our aim is not just to be an electoral monitoring body in Nigeria, we intend to register with the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS), Africa Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) so that legacy can be globally recognised as an electoral monitoring body that is after free and fair elections,” he added.

As part of plans for a successful election, and for peace to reign, the group and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), would hold a National Day of Prayers in Abuja this month to seek God’s intervention for peaceful elections and for progress.