By Muhammad Mamman
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of wrecking Nigeria through what he described as incompetent, divisive, and corrupt leadership.
In a statement marking Independence Day, Mr Obi said the ruling party’s “brutal, revenue-driven policies” had plunged millions of citizens into unprecedented hardship and undermined the vision of the nation’s founding fathers.
“Our founding fathers fought for independence with passion and determination to build a prosperous Nigeria. But tragic failures of leadership derailed that vision. Over the last decade, under the APC’s incompetent, divisive, and corrupt leadership, Nigeria has been greatly diminished,” he said.
He lamented rising debts, noting that Nigeria’s total liabilities now stand at about N175 trillion, nearly half of GDP, with no corresponding growth in productive sectors. According to him, this has pushed Nigeria down to the fourth-largest economy in Africa, behind South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria.
Mr Obi also criticised what he called the extravagance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing billions spent on luxury jets, yachts, cars, and the N25 billion renovation of the vice-president’s residence, while millions of Nigerians lack access to healthcare, education, clean water, and sanitation.
“Fifteen million Nigerians have been pushed into acute poverty within a year. More than 150 million citizens are deprived of basic needs. Meanwhile, billions are squandered on frivolous projects that far exceed the budgets of vital sectors,” he argued.
Despite his criticisms, the former Anambra governor urged Nigerians not to lose hope, stressing that the country’s vast resources and resilient people could still deliver prosperity under competent and compassionate leadership.
“What we need is prudent management, investment in human capital, infrastructure, and the rule of law. Nigeria has the resources and talent to become an industrialised nation in record time. But leaders must reject corruption and self-indulgence, and embrace competence, compassion, and commitment,” he said.
Mr Obi called on political leaders to use the independence celebration as a moment of reflection, insisting that “the old politics where leaders feast while the people starve must end, and a new politics of prosperity for all must begin.”
