By Festus Damilare Ukolo | Fact Frontier.
Click here to read more about the reporter.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi, a prominent political figure and former Governor of Anambra State, has delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s political class, saying the nation’s problems stem not from a lack of wealth but from leadership failures.
Speaking on Sunday at the thanksgiving service marking the 50th anniversary of Oyo State at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Aremo, Ibadan, Obi urged Nigerians to pray for the country’s politicians, bluntly declaring that
we are the problem of Nigeria.
Obi’s Core Message: Nigeria Is Poorly Governed, Not Poor
In his address, Obi reiterated a theme he has stressed repeatedly in recent months: that Nigeria is a country endowed with human and natural resources, but it is misgoverned.
Nigeria is not a poor country, it is poorly governed,Obi stated, appealing to citizens to
remember us politicians in your prayers that God should touch our hearts to use public money for the public good.”
His appeal was not mere rhetoric. Obi emphasised that prayer was needed so that those in power would develop a sense of responsibility, transparency, and commitment to the public good — qualities he argues are lacking across Nigeria’s political establishment.
In what was described by local media as a forthright and self-reflective address, Obi placed the blame for the country’s persistent crises — including insecurity, economic stagnation, and institutional decay — on political leaders who he believes have lost sight of governance as a service to the people rather than a vehicle for personal enrichment.
Related news:
• President Tinubu to pay 9 million dollars to President Trump. Why?
Context of Broader Critiques
Obi’s recent public statements form part of a consistent narrative he has articulated over the last year — one that places political leadership at the centre of Nigeria’s multifaceted problems. A few weeks earlier, he said that the country’s
repeated failure to provide basic security for citizens is a national shame.
Similarly, Obi criticised government spending and priorities, calling out what he characterised as wasteful expenditure and misplaced governance choices. In January 2026, he called the federal government’s $9 million foreign lobbying contract a “national disgrace,” lamenting that such funds could have been directed to more productive sectors like healthcare and education.
Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for spending an estimated 23 days of January abroad, arguing that excessive foreign trips detract from urgently needed domestic leadership in the face of rising insecurity and social distress.
These statements form part of a broader pattern of commentary from the former Labour Party candidate since the 2023 general elections, where he has consistently framed Nigeria’s woes as a product of bad governance, political myopia, and leadership deficits rather than structural lack of resources.
Reactions and Political Ripples
Obi’s remarks have resonated widely among many Nigerians who feel beleaguered by the nation’s ongoing challenges. However, critics have also seized on his comments to push back. Some opposition figures argue that Obi’s continued criticism of the political class fails to account for the structural complexity of Nigeria’s governance challenges, while others have taken issue with his approach to political engagement following his 2023 presidential bid.
Meanwhile, within political circles, debates are intensifying about the broader direction of Nigeria’s governance culture ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi’s decision to align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition — after his departure from the Labour Party — has sparked discussion on whether he can translate his critique of political leadership into substantive reforms or electoral traction.
Public Sentiment and Broader Narrative
Across social and traditional media, the public response to Obi’s message reflects a mixture of frustration, hope, and skepticism. Some Nigerians praise his clear articulation of governance failures, seeing in his words an echo of their own frustrations with insecurity, economic hardship, and inadequate public services. Others argue that the nation’s problems are structural and cannot wholly be reduced to the failures of politicians alone.
Regardless of the varied reactions, Obi’s remarks have undeniably reinvigorated national discourse on the role of leadership in Nigeria’s development trajectory. By publicly owning part of the responsibility and calling for prayerful reflection, he has shifted the conversation from political blame-shifting to a broader critique of governance culture.
Looking Forward
As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising poverty, insecurity, and institutional decay, debates over leadership accountability, governance priorities, and political reform are likely to intensify. Whether Obi’s call for self-reflection among politicians and prayerful engagement by citizens will translate into concrete policy changes or political realignments remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that his message — that Nigeria’s problems are rooted in how it is governed — has struck a chord with many Nigerians and will continue to be a focal point of national political discourse in 2026 and beyond.
