The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to take immediate and decisive action to reverse the nation’s decline.
In his Independence Day message shared on X, Mr Obi warned that Nigeria is on the brink of economic and social collapse, calling for a united effort to rescue the country from further deterioration.
He stressed the need for Nigerians to make a solemn commitment to create a nation genuinely free from state capture, which has led to failure and left its citizens suffering.
“We must create a nation free from tribal disunity and religious disharmony. We must build a New and Productive Nigeria that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens. That is the independence we should celebrate as a nation whose greatness remains possible”, he said.
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The former Governor of Anambra State stated that Independence Day should serve as a moment of sober reflection for all Nigerians, particularly for leaders whose actions and inactions have contributed to the stagnation and evident failures we currently face.
Mr Obi pointed out that, in terms of development—across critical sectors and even the smallest facets of society—Nigeria is significantly underperforming. He further highlighted that Nigeria ranks poorly in security and peacefulness, positioning us among the most insecure nations in the world.
The statement further read in part: “Anniversary celebrations, whether for an individual or a country, offer opportunities to reflect on memories, celebrate accomplishment, look toward the future, and express gratitude. This is exactly what we are doing today as our dear nation marks its 64th independence anniversary.
“It is now 64 years since Nigeria took charge of its destiny and embarked on the journey toward development as a sovereign nation. Today is a day to appreciate God for abundantly blessing us with natural, human, and material resources to build a great nation.
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“As the saying goes, an unexamined life is not worth living. We must, therefore, examine ourselves in the light of our nation’s journey over the past six decades.
“Have we lifted our people out of poverty, or have we driven more into it? Have we made education accessible to every Nigerian child, or have we allowed an army of over 18 million out-of-school children to roam the streets? Have we built a productive economy, or have we created a nation with the worst debt profile in its history?
“We are also ranked among the most corrupt countries, and we are noted for our disregard for the rule of law. Our nation continues its dangerous dance on the edge of a precipice. When we compare ourselves to countries that gained independence around the same time—before or after us—Nigeria stands out as a nation in decline, urgently in need of rescue from further decay.”
