By Obinna Uballa
Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary should serve as a moment of sober reflection, lamenting that the country has been gravely diminished under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) despite its enormous potential.
In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the October 1 celebrations, Obi recalled that Nigeria emerged from colonial rule in 1960 to global acclaim, hailed as a rising African power with the potential to lead the continent to prosperity. He noted, however, that repeated leadership failures, especially under the APC in the last decade, had plunged the nation into economic hardship, insecurity, and institutional decay.
“On 1 October 1960, Nigeria gained independence to global acclaim as an emerging African economic and political power. Such was our potential that Time Magazine predicted the rise of a true African superpower,” Obi said. “But tragic failures of leadership derailed this vision. Despite moments of resilience, the last decade under the APC’s incompetent, divisive, and corrupt leadership has greatly diminished Nigeria.”
The former Anambra State governor criticised what he described as reckless borrowing, mismanagement of public resources, and misplaced priorities by the current administration. He highlighted what he considered instances of wasteful spending, including billions allocated to presidential jets, luxury vehicles, and the renovation of the Vice President’s residence, while essential services like healthcare and education remain underfunded.
“Billions are spent on new presidential jets, yachts, and luxury cars that cost more than the entire 2024 budget for primary healthcare. The Vice President’s residence was renovated at a cost of N25 billion, more than the combined capital budgets of six major federal university teaching hospitals,” Obi stated.
He expressed concern over Nigeria’s debt profile, which he said had ballooned from N2.5 trillion in 2007 to about N175 trillion today, nearly 50 percent of GDP, without any meaningful investment in productive infrastructure. The result, he argued, is deepening poverty, hunger, and unemployment.
“In just one year, this administration pushed over 15 million Nigerians into acute poverty. Today, more than 150 million Nigerians lack access to basic healthcare, education, water, and sanitation. Nigerians pay more for everything – passports, electricity, petrol, food, rent – yet power supply remains unreliable and food insecurity deepens,” Obi said.
The Labour Party standard bearer also decried worsening insecurity, noting that rampant kidnapping and terrorism have crippled social and economic life across the country. He said the government’s incompetence in security management had turned Nigeria into “one of the most terrorised and unsafe nations in the world.”
Despite painting a bleak picture, Obi insisted that Nigeria’s future remains bright if the right leadership is embraced. He urged leaders to learn from countries like China, India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, which he said transformed their economies through discipline and people-centred governance.
“We cannot give up on the dream of a prosperous and secure nation. With competent, compassionate, and committed leadership, Nigeria can rebound. We must end a system where leaders feast while the people starve, where politics enriches a few and impoverishes the many,” he declared.
Calling for a new brand of politics anchored on justice, unity, and productivity, Obi reaffirmed his belief that “a new Nigeria is possible.”
“Despite today’s challenges, the future remains bright. Against all odds, we will return Nigeria to the path of prosperity and justice. The mission is clear: Nigeria will rise again,” he said.
