January 02, (THEWILL) – Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has expressed grave concerns over Nigeria’s deteriorating political, economic, and security conditions, calling for selfless and exemplary leadership at all levels of government.
Speaking at a press conference on the state of the nation in Abuja on Thursday, the former Anambra State governor emphasised that transformational leadership must begin with President Bola Tinubu, urging him to take decisive steps to address the nation’s challenges.
“Nigeria urgently needs selfless and exemplary leadership across the three arms and tiers of government. However, this much-needed leadership must begin at the very top,” Obi said.
Obi decried Nigeria’s ballooning national debt, which he claimed had surged from approximately N15 trillion in 2015 to over N100 trillion today, with much of the increase recorded under Tinubu’s administration.
“Our borrowings must be tied to regenerative investments and visible, productive assets that yield tangible benefits. The current practice of incurring debt without returns puts immense pressure on future generations,” he said.
Highlighting the worsening economic crisis, Obi lamented that Nigeria has fallen from being Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of $574 billion in 2014 to fourth place, with a GDP of less than $200 billion.
He noted that over 100 million Nigerians now live in extreme poverty, while inflation and unemployment continue to skyrocket.
On security, Obi described Nigeria as one of the most insecure nations globally, with communities displaced and the country ranking 143rd out of 163 nations on the Global Peace Index.
“Food insecurity has become our new normal. Many Nigerians now rely on charitable palliatives to survive, while the new minimum wage of N70,000 cannot even buy a bag of rice,” he stated.
Obi proposed a roadmap for President Tinubu, urging him to prioritize transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of resources.
Obi also stressed the importance of credible elections, describing it as the “single most challenging test” facing Tinubu’s administration. He urged the president to provide quarterly updates to Nigerians on his administration’s progress.
“Nigerians need to hear directly from you, Mr. President. The people deserve to know what is being done to improve their lives,” Obi concluded.
The Labour Party candidate’s remarks serve as a clarion call for urgent action to reverse Nigeria’s declining fortunes and restore confidence in governance.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
