Peter Obi Names the Real Causes of Nigeria’s Crisis

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has identified poor leadership, corruption, and mismanagement as major factors responsible for Nigeria’s persistent challenges, including insecurity, poverty, and economic decline.

Speaking during a public engagement, Obi said Nigeria’s problems are not caused by a lack of resources but by the failure of those entrusted with leadership to manage the country responsibly. According to him, weak governance, absence of accountability, and misplaced priorities have continued to undermine national development.

Obi criticized what he described as a culture of propaganda over performance, arguing that governments often make promises without delivering tangible results. He pointed to worsening economic hardship, rising unemployment, and the deteriorating health care system as evidence that leadership failures have deepened citizens’ suffering.

The former Anambra State governor also raised concerns over insecurity, stressing that despite huge spending on security, including security votes, Nigerians remain unsafe. He called for transparency in security spending and a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, noting that soldiers and security personnel can only perform effectively when properly equipped and supported.

has identified poor leadership, corruption, and mismanagement as major factors responsible for Nigeria’s persistent challenges, including insecurity, poverty, and economic decline.

Speaking during a public engagement, Obi said Nigeria’s problems are not caused by a lack of resources but by the failure of those entrusted with leadership to manage the country responsibly. According to him, weak governance, absence of accountability, and misplaced priorities have continued to undermine national development.

Obi criticized what he described as a culture of propaganda over performance, arguing that governments often make promises without delivering tangible results. He pointed to worsening economic hardship, rising unemployment, and the deteriorating health care system as evidence that leadership failures have deepened citizens’ suffering.

The former Anambra State governor also raised concerns over insecurity, stressing that despite huge spending on security, including security votes, Nigerians remain unsafe. He called for transparency in security spending and a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, noting that soldiers and security personnel can only perform effectively when properly equipped and supported.

On economic policies, Obi questioned the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy, stating that the policy, which was meant to curb corruption, has instead deepened it while pushing millions of Nigerians further into poverty. He added that the government must clearly account for savings from the subsidy removal and show how they are being used to improve education, health care, and social welfare.

Obi urged Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders, insisting that the country’s challenges can only be addressed through competent leadership, prudent management of public resources, and policies that prioritize the welfare of the people.

He concluded by emphasizing that Nigeria has the human and material capacity to succeed, but progress depends on leaders who are willing to govern with integrity, transparency, and empathy.