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Independence Day: By Every Measure of Devt Nigeria is Underperforming —Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, marked Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day by reflecting on the nation’s journey since gaining sovereignty.

In a post on his X handle, he acknowledged the country’s rich natural, human, and material resources but emphasized that this occasion should also serve as a moment for sober reflection.

Particularly for leaders, he urged self-examination of their role in Nigeria’s stagnation and underdevelopment, pointing to pressing issues such as poverty, a failing education system, and economic mismanagement.

Obi expressed concern over Nigeria’s poor performance in critical areas of development, highlighting the country’s struggles with insecurity, corruption, and disregard for the rule of law. He compared Nigeria’s situation to that of other nations that gained independence around the same time, lamenting how the country has fallen behind and continues to face significant challenges. He noted that Nigeria’s current trajectory places it in a precarious position, with urgent reforms needed to reverse its decline.

In his call to action, Obi urged Nigerians to commit to building a truly independent nation, free from tribalism, religious discord, and systemic failures.

He envisioned a “New and Productive Nigeria” where the well-being of its citizens is prioritized and where the country’s potential for greatness can finally be realized. This, he emphasized, is the independence worth celebrating.

Obi’s statement read in full below:

Anniversary celebrations, whether for an individual or a country, offer opportunities to reflect on memories, celebrate accomplishments, 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.

However, for me, this should also be a day of sober reflection for every Nigerian, especially for us, the leaders, whose actions and inactions have contributed to the stagnation and glaring failures we are witnessing at present.

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?

By every measure of development, from the critical areas to the smallest aspects, we are underperforming. We rank poorly in security and peacefulness, making us 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.

On this day, therefore, we must make a solemn commitment to build a nation that is truly independent from the state capture that has dragged it into failure and kept its people in 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. -PO

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