Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process, warning that the country’s democratic gains have weakened while the economic welfare of citizens continues to deteriorate.
Obi made the remarks after attending the launch of a landmark report by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation titled “Strengthening the Nexus Between Democracy and Economic Growth in Nigeria.”
In a post shared on X, the former Anambra State governor said the report and the discussions that followed highlighted critical failures in governance, particularly in key sectors affecting the lives of Nigerians.
“Yesterday, I honoured the invitation of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation at the launch of its landmark report titled ‘Strengthening the Nexus Between Democracy and Economic Growth in Nigeria,’” Obi stated.
According to him, the findings presented during the event underscored the urgent need to address Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
“The report and the robust panel discussions that followed did not just present data; they reiterated the necessary truth that we have failed in critical areas of development: health, education, and pulling our people out of poverty. Over the past decade, our democratic progress has weakened while the economic well-being of our people has continued to decline,” he said.
Obi further noted that consensus from participants at the event pointed to the need for a new leadership recruitment process rooted in competence and accountability.
“Consensus thinking from the event is that our leadership recruitment process must change for democracy to thrive. The recruitment must be based on competence, capacity, compassion, character, and commitment to serving the well-being of the people. And for it to thrive, our institutions must be strong, independent, and accountable to the people,” he added.
The former governor also stressed the importance of restoring public confidence in governance structures, noting that measurable improvements in citizens’ lives must become the ultimate goal of leadership.
“We must rebuild trust in our institutions, restore discipline in Leadership, and ensure that governance translates into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians,” Obi stated.
He concluded his message with his now-familiar political mantra: “A New Nigeria is POssible.”