Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the state of the nation, warning that Nigeria is “sitting on a keg of gunpowder.”
Obi made this assertion in a statement to mark the country’s 64th Independence Day anniversary.
The former governor of Anambra State expressed his support for protests organized by youth groups and civil society organizations to express their dissatisfaction with the ongoing hardship and bad governance in Nigeria.
“One is not suggesting that a 64-year-old country has no right to congratulate itself, but the question remains: are we congratulating ourselves for failure or for success?” Obi asked, highlighting the need for national reflection rather than celebration.
He further stated, “It is with this understanding that I support today’s protest, provided it remains peaceful. Nigerians must seize every opportunity to remind our leaders that we are all sitting on a keg of gunpowder in this country.”
In his stark critique, Obi suggested that the nation should be in mourning, given the state of governance. “What we truly need in Nigeria is mourning. We should have donned sackcloth and ashes today and not engage in march-past,” he said. Obi also emphasized the importance of national remorse, saying, “Our leaders need to openly express remorse for the betrayal of so much faith and hope.”
He urged Nigerians to gather and reflect on the lessons of history. “Nigerians should have gathered under trees to review the state of the nation among themselves, striving to teach one another the lessons of history – the rise, progress, decay, and fall of nations, and how, through accidents, errors, and foolishness prevalent in Nigeria over the years, these great changes and failures occurred,” he explained.
Obi went further to highlight the signs of potential unrest, pointing out that the factors for revolution were evident in the country. “We should also remind one another how revolutions commence and how they are carried out, and by what a fatal chain of circumstances the wisest men are driven far beyond the limits of moderation, and by what impulses an enraged people is precipitated into excess at the very thought of which they would have shuddered,” he warned.
He emphasized the need for dialogue on how these failures could either be repeated or avoided. “We are at a crossroads. We know what is happening today, but no one can predict what tomorrow will bring,” Obi added, stressing the uncertainty of the nation’s future.
Ob however i called for leadership that is aware of the nation’s dire situation and is willing to take decisive action. He urged Nigerian leaders to act with wisdom and accountability to steer the country in the right direction.
