Peter Obi has called for hope as Nigeria marks 65 years, despite worsening poverty and insecurity.
He criticized reckless spending, rising debt, and hardship but insisted recovery is possible with good governance.
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has appealed to Nigerians to hold on to hope despite the country’s deepening economic and security crises.
In a statement marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday, Obi said what should ordinarily be a moment of national pride has instead become a period of sober reflection, with citizens grappling with decades of poor governance and missed opportunities.
Looking back at Nigeria’s history since 1960, Obi recalled that the country once stood as a rising force in Africa, but leadership shortcomings have continued to drag it backward.
He noted that although Nigeria was ranked Africa’s largest economy as recently as 2014 and appeared close to achieving middle-income status, the situation has since reversed. According to him, the nation’s debt has climbed to around N175 trillion nearly half of its GDP without visible gains in critical sectors, leaving Nigeria now ranked fourth in Africa.
Obi accused the current administration of engaging in heavy borrowing, reckless spending, and policies that have worsened hunger and poverty. He pointed out that within the last year alone, more than 15 million people were pushed into extreme poverty, while over 150 million Nigerians remain deprived of basic necessities like quality health care, education, clean water, and sanitation.
He further condemned what he described as wasteful expenditure by leaders during a time of hardship, citing billions allocated to new jets, expensive cars, and a N25 billion renovation of the Vice President’s residence, a sum, he said that exceeds the combined capital allocations of several federal teaching hospitals.
On the security front, Obi lamented that the country has become one of the most unsafe places globally, with terrorism and kidnappings stifling business activity and discouraging investors.
Still, he insisted that Nigeria can recover if guided by leaders who prioritize discipline, competence, and the welfare of the people. He urged the country to take lessons from nations such as India, China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, which successfully transformed their economies through pragmatic governance and people-focused policies.
Obi stressed that for Nigeria to progress, leaders must rise above corruption, religious and ethnic bias, and self-interest. Only leaders who demonstrate compassion and integrity, he argued, can put the country back on the path of stability.
Ending on a note of optimism, Obi assured citizens that a brighter future remains possible. He pledged that the struggle to rebuild the nation will continue until Nigeria becomes a land of fairness, opportunity, and prosperity once again.
