Rita Odafe
Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential Candidate for the Labour Party (LP), expressed deep concern over the plight of Nigerians, asserting that they are living as if they were refugees despite the country not being in a state of war.
He criticized the escalating issues of insecurity and hardship that plague Nigeria, calling it a “crime scene.”
During an event held in Abuja on June 10, Obi pointed out that while Nigeria is not in an official conflict, many citizens find themselves in refugee-like circumstances, both within the nation and abroad. He stated;
“Currently, Nigeria is not in a declared war, yet many people exist in IDP camps across the nation. Others have become refugees in countries like Chad and Cameroon. This situation arises from a government that fails to protect its citizens,” he remarked.
The former governor of Anambra urged the populace to unite in their efforts to “dismantle this crime scene known as a country,” cautioning that the prevailing state of affairs is both unsustainable and perilous.
“Some individuals are enjoying festivities while the situation deteriorates. When the consequence finally manifests, it will impact everyone regardless of wealth. I’ve witnessed similar scenarios in Beirut and Afghanistan—crisis knows no boundaries,” he forewarned.
He criticized the nation’s focus, highlighting that while government offices are being upgraded and celebrations abound, maternal mortality persists, and millions of children remain out of education.
“Public funds are spent on refurbishing offices and constructing lavish properties, while women are losing their lives during childbirth. According to recent statistics, every seven minutes, a woman dies in Nigeria due to childbirth-related issues. This must change,” Obi declared.
Obi underscored that many of Nigeria’s challenges arise from inadequate leadership and a failure to create value.
“Our political and business leaders are perpetuating poverty. When individuals hoard wealth without contributing to value creation, they are exacerbating poverty. A thriving economy should foster genuine value exchange,” he noted.
Regarding currency devaluation, Obi expressed support for the concept but stressed that corruption should be addressed first.
“I agree with the notion of removing fuel subsidies, but this should only follow a thorough eradication of corruption in the system. If we can establish market confidence and clean up the corrupt practices, the naira can achieve stability. It’s feasible in places like Ghana and Angola—why not here?”
