Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed disappointment and concern over President Bola Tinubu’s recent comments downplaying Nigeria’s struggles by comparing them to other countries facing similar challenges.
While receiving a delegation from the National Assembly, President Tinubu stated that Nigeria is not the only nation grappling with poverty, implying that the country’s struggles are not unique.
Reacting to the statement on (link unavailable), Obi emphasized that Nigeria’s problems are well-known and require concrete solutions, not generalizations that dismiss the experiences of Nigerians.
He lamented that the country is plagued by numerous challenges, including poverty, insecurity, hunger, poor education, high infant mortality, corruption, unemployment, and a wide income gap between the rich and the poor.
Obi stressed that what Nigerians need is a comprehensive approach to address the country’s unique challenges, not comparisons that trivialize their experiences.
He urged leaders to offer tangible solutions, not mere reminders that others face similar challenges. A true leader, he said, provides direction, guidance, solutions, and reassurance in times of crisis, citing the example of a pilot who assures passengers of their safety during turbulence.
Obi called for a clear vision and a roadmap to overcome obstacles, emphasizing that this is the hallmark of visionary leadership and a trait of nations making progress.
He expressed disappointment that instead of providing a clear plan to tackle Nigeria’s challenges, those in leadership positions often downplay the situation by comparing the country’s struggles to those of other nations.
He said, “The problems facing Nigeria are well-known to all Nigerians. We are the poverty capital of the world, among the most insecure people on earth, among the hungriest, have poor education quality and the highest number of out-of-school children, high infant mortality, corruption, unemployment, the highest income gap between the poor and the rich, high corruption perception index, infrastructure and healthcare challenges, and more.”
Obi emphasized that Nigeria needs a comprehensive approach to tackle its specific challenges, not generalizations that dismiss the experiences of Nigerians.
He urged leaders to offer concrete solutions and a clear vision to address the country’s unique struggles, rather than comparing them to those of other nations.
