Peter Obi accused the ruling APC of eroding Nigeria’s economic and democratic progress since 1999 while expressing hope that the nation can recover under competent leadership.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of eroding the gains made by previous civilian governments. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday as part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations, Obi said the country lost the momentum it gained after independence due to “incompetent, divisive, and corrupt leadership.”
He praised the achievements recorded between 1999 and 2015, including debt forgiveness under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nigeria’s rise to Africa’s largest economy under Goodluck Jonathan. However, he lamented that the APC’s decade in power had reversed those gains.
“Today, the picture is bleak. Our total debt stands at about N175 trillion… without any improvement in productive sectors,” he said. He condemned government extravagance amid widespread poverty, claiming over 15 million Nigerians were pushed into acute hardship within one year.
Despite his criticism, Obi maintained that “a great Nigeria is still possible,” calling for leadership defined by competence and compassion.