Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has once again emphasized that leadership failure is at the heart of Nigeria’s problems, hindering the country’s progress and development.
In a recent statement, Obi called for urgent disruption of the current system and the enthronement of leaders with competence, character, capacity, and compassion.
“The cumulative effect of poor leadership remains our greatest obstacle to development,” Obi stated. “This calls for urgent disruption of the current retrogressive system and the enthronement of leaders with competence, character, capacity, and compassion.”
Obi’s comments come on the heels of a statement by the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, which echoed his concerns about the country’s governance. The statement drew global attention, with many Nigerians welcoming it as a confirmation of what they have long said about the country’s leadership challenges.
“You cannot ask the people to keep fasting while you feast every day,” Obi said, criticizing the current leadership. “As Chinua Achebe rightly said, ‘The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.'”
Obi’s call for change is not just about criticizing the current leadership but also about building a new Nigeria, free from criminality and corruption. However, he lamented that instead of addressing the message, those in power deploy media thugs to insult and distract.
The former presidential candidate urged Nigerians to vote for competence rather than tribe or religion.
“To all well-meaning Nigerians: this must stop. We must dismantle the system of criminality. We have voted based on tribe and religion for too long – it is time to vote for competence.
“Let us move from waste, looting, and reckless borrowing to production. Let us build a Nigeria that works.
“A New Nigeria is POssible”, he said.