According to him, Nigeria’s problem has never been a lack of resources but a failure of leadership and accountability in the management of public funds.
A former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has declared that Nigeria’s persistent crisis is not caused by its citizens but by those entrusted with political power, insisting that the country is wealthy but suffers from poor governance.
Obi made the remarks on Sunday during a Thanksgiving Service held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Oyo State at the Cathedral of St. Peter’s, Aremo, Ibadan.
Speaking before congregants, political leaders, clerics and government officials, Obi urged Nigerians to continually pray for their leaders, admitting that politicians bear the primary responsibility for Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
According to him, Nigeria’s problem has never been a lack of resources but a failure of leadership and accountability in the management of public funds.
“As I conclude, I want to make a request to Nigerians to, please, always remember us politicians in prayers. We are the problem of Nigeria. No other person,” Obi said.
“Nigeria is not a poor country but only poorly governed. Remember us in your prayers that God should touch our hearts to use public money for public good.”
The former Anambra governor, who has become a leading voice in Nigeria’s reform and accountability movement, praised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for what he described as a people-centred leadership style and visible transformation across the state.
Obi said he was impressed by the level of development in Oyo State, noting that the changes under Makinde’s administration were evident and commendable.
“It is always an honour to be in Ibadan. I was here on Tuesday to visit the University and I was telling somebody that this is a historic town where all of us, as Nigerians, come because it is a city of knowledge and a city of hope,” Obi stated.
He added that even members of his entourage were struck by the pace of development in the state.
“The people who came with me said, ‘You don’t know how this place has changed,’ and I appreciate the preacher for what he said about how the state has developed under Governor Seyi Makinde,” he said.
Obi further revealed that he had been involved in advisory engagements at the early stage of Makinde’s administration, describing the Oyo governor as a leader committed to service and results.
“I thank Governor Makinde for faithfully serving the people. As you celebrate this 50th anniversary, I pray that the next fifty years of the great state will be exemplary,” Obi said.
“May God continue to bless our governor and all the members of his team. I was here at the onset of his government. I was one of those that were brought in to talk to his commissioners, and I thank him for his exceptional work.”
He reiterates that good governance is achievable in Nigeria if leaders choose to prioritise the public interest over personal gain, pointing to Oyo State as an example of what is possible when public resources are deployed transparently and responsibly.
“That is what Seyi Makinde is doing in Oyo State,” Obi said.