The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has condemned Nigeria’s current leadership, decrying the deepening national tragedy marked by unchecked killings, neglect, and a disturbing lack of empathy from those in power.
In a message posted to his official X handle yesterday, Obi lamented the state of the nation, saying, “The Nigerian people are bleeding while their leaders look away—offering no comfort, no action, and no accountability.”
Obi shared his thoughts in an essay titled “What Cannot Be Hidden in Leadership,” where he criticised the failure of leadership in the wake of recent tragedies, including the massacre of over 200 people in Benue State and deadly floods in Niger State that claimed nearly 200 lives.
“Not even a single presidential visit. No national mourning. No show of empathy. No leadership presence at the scene of grief,” he wrote. “These are not just statistics—they are human lives. And yet, there is silence.”
Highlighting the critical elements of effective leadership, Obi outlined four essential pillars: Competence, Capacity, Character, and Compassion. He argued that where these qualities are missing, “no amount of PR, propaganda, or political gymnastics can rescue a nation.”
“Competence is about understanding the issues and having the experience to solve them. Capacity means having the energy and mental strength to face complex challenges. Character means integrity and public trust. And compassion? That’s the heartbeat of leadership—the ability to feel the people’s pain and act on it,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with responses from leaders abroad, Obi pointed to India, where the Prime Minister visited the scene of a plane crash that claimed nearly 200 lives, and South Africa, where the President personally took responsibility following floods that killed 78 people. “That is what leadership looks like,” he remarked.
Obi warned that until Nigerians prioritise competence and conscience over ethnic or religious sentiment when electing leaders, the nation will remain stuck in a cycle of suffering.
“What we have today is leadership without empathy, without presence, and without accountability. It must end. Nigeria does not need another figurehead—Nigeria needs a leader,” he said.
To the grieving communities in Benue, Niger, and across the country, Obi expressed solidarity, saying, “We see your pain. We mourn with you. And we will keep speaking until justice, dignity, and leadership return to our land. A New Nigeria is not just a dream—it is possible.”
