Peter Obi, leader of the Labour Party, recently addressed the media in Abuja, shedding light on the deteriorating economic and security conditions in Nigeria. In a detailed and impassioned speech, Obi criticized the current administration for its failure to address the mounting challenges facing the country and offered actionable solutions to tackle these issues. As reported by Arise News
Obi lamented the alarming state of poverty in Nigeria, noting that over 100 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty, while more than 150 million are affected by multidimensional poverty. He cited data that highlights Nigeria’s dramatic economic decline, from having the highest GDP in Africa in 2014 at $574 billion to now ranking fourth with a GDP of approximately $200 billion.
“The newly approved minimum wage of 70,000 naira cannot even afford a bag of rice or half a bag of beans,” Obi said. He emphasized that hunger and food insecurity have reached critical levels, with Nigeria ranking 110th out of 127 countries on the 2024 Global Hunger Index.
Obi highlighted the country’s abysmal power sector performance, stating that Nigeria has earned the dubious title of “generator country” due to frequent national grid collapses—almost 12 times in the past year alone. He also criticized the rising national debt, which has skyrocketed from 15 trillion naira in 2015 to over 100 trillion naira, accusing the government of mismanaging public resources.
Obi revealed the immense pressure faced by opposition politicians in Nigeria, describing how people are now afraid to greet or associate with opposition figures out of fear of government retaliation. “Colleagues avoid replying to greetings at the airport because they don’t want the government of the day to see them associating with me,” he said, illustrating the hostile environment for dissenting voices.
In a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Obi urged the president to abandon his frequent international trips and instead engage more deeply with the realities of Nigerians. He suggested that the president spend two days in each of the 36 states in 2025 to understand their unique challenges.
“Travel by road,” Obi advised, “to observe the conditions of our highways. Visit national hospitals for your next medical checkup instead of going to France. This will allow you to assess the state of healthcare facilities available to Nigerians.”
He recounted his experience as governor of Anambra State, where he invited then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on a road trip that led to the immediate approval and reconstruction of federal highways. Obi emphasized that such hands-on engagement could prompt tangible improvements in critical sectors.
Obi proposed a series of urgent measures to address Nigeria’s challenges:
- Reduce the Cost of Governance: He called for a verifiable reduction in government expenditure to reallocate resources to critical sectors like health, education, and poverty alleviation.
- Combat Corruption: Obi stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in public procurement and the execution of projects.
- Tie Borrowing to Productive Investments: He urged that all loans be directed toward regenerative investments to ensure tangible returns and reduce the burden on future generations.
- Engage with the Public: Obi recommended quarterly updates from the president to inform Nigerians about ongoing efforts to address national issues.
Obi emphasized the need for credible elections as the cornerstone of democracy. “Elections must reflect the will of the people,” he said, criticizing the current electoral processes as flawed and lacking transparency.
More Read
“Governance is about the feelings of the people,” Obi concluded. He appealed for decisive and selfless leadership to address Nigeria’s urgent challenges. His call for accountability and empathy—exemplified by his suggestions for the president to experience the daily struggles of Nigerians firsthand—underscores his commitment to a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria.
