Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has once again raised alarm over what he described as the deepening erosion of values in Nigeria’s governance, warning that the sacrifices of past leaders risk being wasted if the current trajectory continues unchecked.
Speaking at a memorial event honouring elder statesman Edwin Clark, Mr Obi lamented the level of corruption and institutional decay under the current administration.
Without directly naming individuals at first, he painted a bleak picture of a nation “turned into a crime scene,” where integrity has given way to systemic looting and disregard for democratic processes.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s post-independence history, Mr Obi praised former military leader General Yakubu Gowon, saying his generation made personal sacrifices for the country.
He then contrasted that legacy with the present, declaring, “What we see today is stealing, stealing, stealing. The labour of our past leaders is being laid to waste.”
In a pointed critique, he questioned the integrity of recent electoral processes, including the just-concluded Edo State local government polls, suggesting that democracy was being subverted through manipulation and impunity.
“We no longer live in a democratic country. Let’s tell ourselves the truth. Elections are no longer reflections of the people’s will, and the institutions meant to safeguard democracy have been compromised,” he said.
Poliical analysts see Obi’s latest comments as a consistent voice pushing for transparency and reform that Nigeria is desperately needed as citizens increasingly disillusioned by economic hardship and a perceived decline in leadership accountability.
