“Are we cursed or are we the cause?” — Peter Obi laments Nigeria’s challenges
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), has reflected on Nigeria’s past and present, expressing concern over rising insecurity, weakening national unity, and declining institutional trust.
In a Father’s Day message on Sunday, Obi said he found himself asking “a difficult question” about the country’s trajectory.
“Are we cursed or are we the cause?” he asked.
Obi said he grew up in a Nigeria that was more united and peaceful, where students interacted freely without divisions based on religion, ethnicity or region.
“I grew up in a Nigeria that was more united and peaceful. In my primary, secondary school and university days, students related freely without divisions of religion, ethnicity, or region. We simply saw ourselves as Nigerians,” he said.
He added that during his early business years, partnerships were based on trust and competence rather than ethnic or religious considerations, noting that the naira commanded respect internationally and Nigerians enjoyed greater global mobility.
The former Anambra state governor also recalled a time when travel across the country was safer, and roads connected communities more effectively.
“I also lived in Nigeria, where I travelled across the country—from Onitsha to Lagos, Maiduguri, and Calabar—without fear. Roads connected people, and life was more secure,” he said.
Obi further said public institutions enjoyed stronger trust in the past, including confidence in elections, accountability in governance, and more stable universities, healthcare systems, and infrastructure.
According to him, Nigeria’s Armed Forces and police were also widely respected for their roles in peacekeeping and international stability.
The former presidential candidate lamented that many of these gains have eroded over time, pointing to worsening insecurity, reduced opportunities for young people, and declining national unity.
“Today, as a father reflecting on Nigeria, I am pained that much of this has changed. Insecurity has grown, national unity has weakened, and many citizens no longer feel safe,” he said.
Obi also expressed concern over Nigeria’s perceived decline in global influence, citing the country’s absence from recent international gatherings such as the G7 summit, where countries like Egypt and Kenya were reportedly invited.
He, however, urged Nigerians not to remain passive, calling for greater civic participation and responsibility.
“As fathers, we must not only lament. We must not bequeath this reality to our children. We owe them a better Nigeria built on security, opportunity, fairness, and national pride,” he said.
Obi stressed the importance of voter participation, urging citizens to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs), vote responsibly, and protect the integrity of their votes.
“Change will not come from complaints alone but from citizens who choose and defend accountable leadership,” he said.
He concluded by expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future, saying a better country remains possible with unity and determination.
