Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party during the 2023 general election, has expressed deep concern over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria, warning that the country is on the brink of collapse. Obi made these comments during his address to party members at the ongoing National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
In his speech, Obi underscored the severity of the nation’s challenges, pointing to alarming economic indicators that reflect a steady decline in the living standards of ordinary Nigerians.
“Do not fear anybody. Those who were afraid yesterday didn’t do any better,” Obi said, urging the party and the citizens to speak out against the mounting hardships.
“We must speak out when things are going wrong. Nigeria is collapsing. The numbers are clear; the indices are clear—people are getting poorer every day,” he lamented.
Despite the grim situation in the country, Obi emphasised the importance of unity within the Labour Party, calling for inclusiveness and cooperation among all party members.
He highlighted that the Labour Party must act as a “family,” where everyone is involved in decision-making, and no one is excluded.
“The Labour Party has chosen to be a family, and we must do everything as a family. It’s not about Peter Obi’s choice; it’s everyone’s choice. This family excludes no one. We want to build a party that is fair and just,” Obi declared.
Preparing for future elections
Looking ahead to future elections, Obi made it clear that the Labour Party is preparing to put forward a strong, competent slate of candidates at all levels of government. He indicated that the party’s focus would be on offering the best possible candidates for the House of Representatives, the Senate, governorships, and the presidency.
“We want to go into the next election fully prepared, offering Nigerians the best and most competent candidates,” Obi said.
He also stressed the importance of party loyalty and competence in choosing aspirants, saying the party aims to correct past mistakes.
“We want to correct the mistakes we made in the past. Anyone seeking to contest under our party must be a committed member, not just someone passing through. They must be competent,” Obi affirmed.
