The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun has gone spiritual over the present economic crunch in the country.

Odigie-Oyegun said on Thursday, that the economic hardship may be God’s way of reminding Nigeria on the need to implement and embrace radical change, particularly in the country’s current economic model.‎

The APC Chairman made the disclosure when he received a 15-member delegation of an APC support group, Change Agents Foundation (CAF) led by its Director-General, Felix Felix, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

“I think God has a hand in the current economic predicament of the country. Imagine the sudden fall in the price of crude oil, the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, from its heights in 2014, averaging $112 per barrel down to the current price of $28 per barrel — lower than the $38 per barrel which the proposed 2016 budget is predicated on. It is an object lesson for us. It tells us that we must embrace radical change in our economic model”.

“The concept of change is a difficult one. Nigeria must be ready to adapt to new ways of doing things. As a party, we know and understand it calls for tremendous sacrifice, there is no other way. Yes the economy is in a bad shape, but maybe that is the kick we need to be innovative and find ways to drive the economy out of the woods”.

“The luck we have is that we have as president a man committed to personal probity and sincerity of purpose to the project of developing Nigeria. Today, we must think and be innovative in ways of fashioning out new economic models which diversifies from the present over reliance on oil”.

“We are in the process of organizing a three-day dialogue which will bring the party, government and stakeholders for an exposition on the realities facing the country, particular the economy. It will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas so that we go home with a clear direction on how to go forward”.

Janeth J