The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has said that Nigeria stands out as a nation in decline when compared to its counterparts that gained independence at the same time.
Obi stated this in a post via his official X handle on Tuesday.
He noted that it’s been 64 years since Nigeria took charge of its destiny and embarked on the journey toward development as a sovereign nation.
According to him, the independence day should also be a day of sober reflection for every Nigerian, especially for the leaders, whose actions and inactions he said have contributed to the stagnation in the country.
Obi wrote, “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?”
The former governor expressed disappointment in the measure of development in the country, pointing out that Nigeria ranks poorly in security and is one of the most insecure nations globally.
“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,” he wrote.
Obi further called for a solemn commitment to build a nation that is truly independent, 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 stated.
