Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has emphasized that achieving a better Nigeria is possible if political leaders make necessary sacrifices and changes. He urged leaders to abandon harmful habits and extravagant lifestyles, advocating instead for prioritizing the welfare of the nation’s suffering masses.
Writing on his X account, Obi reiterated his dedication to investing in crucial sectors like human and national development, health, and education, emphasizing that such investments are vital for the nation’s future. He highlighted that genuine progress requires leaders who are sincere, attentive, responsible, and committed to the people’s welfare over personal or political interests.
Obi cited Kenya’s recent experiences as a model for responsive leadership. He noted that Kenyan President William Ruto addressed public dissatisfaction by implementing measures to reduce unnecessary expenditures and demonstrate fiscal responsibility, including canceling budgets for the First Lady and Second Lady’s offices, dissolving state agencies, suspending nonessential travel, freezing the purchase of new cars, and reducing the number of advisers.
Contrasting this with Nigeria, Obi criticized the tendency of Nigerian leaders to dismiss legitimate concerns and misuse public funds to silence critics. He called for accountability and responsiveness from the country’s leaders.
During a visit to Grimard College of Nursing Sciences in Anyigba, Kogi State, where he donated N10 million for nursing training, Obi emphasized the importance of investing in health, education, and poverty alleviation. He pointed out that Nigeria’s underdevelopment and socio-economic challenges stem from insufficient investment in these critical areas.