PETER OBI : NO NATION CAN SURVIVE ON EXCUSES OR ABSENT LEADERSHIP

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The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has warned that the recent spike in violent incidents is closely linked to leadership failures.

He emphasized that no responsible nation can thrive amid a mix of excuses, indifference, and absent leadership.

Obi made the statement following a review of the country’s security situation over the past 10 days, in a post titled “Is Nigeria cursed, or are we the curse?” on his X account.

The former Anambra State Governor said, “The past 10 days in Nigeria have been marked by unprecedented negative events a wave of chaos, insecurity, and institutional decay that should trouble every leader’s conscience.

“Our nation is facing these troubling times not by fate, but because of collective leadership failures that allow insecurity, lawlessness, and institutional decay to flourish.

“Each day brings a new tragedy, a stark reminder that our beloved country is drifting in the absence of competent, compassionate, responsive, and responsible leadership.

“We have witnessed a nation blessed with resilient and capable people descend into avoidable disorder. We must ask ourselves: Are we cursed, or are we the curse?”

He noted that the 10-day period began with the kidnapping of six senior directors from the Ministry of Defence along the Kogi axis, highlighting that even those charged with protecting the nation are no longer safe. This was followed by the brutal execution of a Brigadier General by terrorists.

Adding to the distress, the abduction of over 400 citizens including 300 schoolchildren from multiple schools catapulted Nigeria onto the global spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Amid these developments, Obi noted, “At the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference, judges expected to uphold neutrality and integrity were observed standing as the APC partisan anthem, ‘On Your Mandate We Shall Stand,’ played prior to the President’s address.”

“This disturbing episode further undermines public confidence in institutions tasked with upholding the rule of law.

“While reflecting on this, I received yet another harrowing report of 13 female farmers abducted today in Askira-Uba LGA of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists,” Obi added.

He continued, “No serious nation can thrive on excuses, indifference, or absent leadership. What we are seeing is not inevitable; it is the direct result of leaders failing to value human life.

“Nigeria is suffering because those entrusted to protect it have prioritized comfort over courage, politics over people, and power over purpose.”

He stressed that leaders must recognize that governance is not merely a title but a responsibility to protect every citizen with competence and compassion.

Obi added that Nigeria deserves safety, peace, and a government that prioritizes the well-being of its people over political interests.