The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has blamed Nigeria’s persistent challenges on poor political leadership, saying there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the country.
Obi made the remarks on Sunday while speaking at Koinonia Global, a Christian ministry led by Apostle Joshua Selman.
The former Anambra State governor argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient human and material resources to overcome its difficulties, but said the country’s progress had been hindered by the quality of leadership it has experienced over the years.
Obi appealed to members of the congregation to remember Nigeria and its political leaders in their prayers, particularly those entrusted with managing the country’s resources.
“I believe that people like you are the ones keeping our country. The only thing I can ask all of you who are gathered here, because I know he’s praying for the country, is that you remember us, the politicians, in your prayers,” he said.
According to Obi, politicians should be the focus of prayers because, in his view, the country’s problems are largely rooted in the actions and decisions of its political leadership.
“We are the problem of the country. There’s nothing wrong with Nigeria. What is wrong in Nigeria is the leadership, the politicians God created in this country,” he said.
The former governor urged Nigerians to pray for a transformation in the hearts of those occupying political offices, particularly concerning the management of public resources.
He called for political leaders to develop the commitment and willingness to deploy government funds for the benefit of citizens rather than for personal interests.
“Let God touch our hearts to use public money for public good. Let God touch us to stop stealing. That is why people are suffering here,” Obi said.
He maintained that Nigeria’s abundant natural and economic resources could be used to significantly improve living conditions if they were properly managed and invested in productive sectors.
Obi said responsible investment of the country’s wealth could help address several of the challenges confronting Nigerians and create opportunities for improved living standards.
“If we use the wealth of this nation and invest it, it will go a long way. So remember us in your prayers,” he added.
The NDC presidential candidate also drew from his experiences travelling to different countries, saying his observations had reinforced his belief that leadership plays a critical role in determining whether a country succeeds or struggles.
According to Obi, he had visited several countries and observed how effective governance and leadership had contributed to development.
“I’ve been to so many countries of the world. And I’ve seen things work in other nations. It is leadership,” he said.
He therefore urged Nigerians to look beyond partisan political considerations when praying for the country.
Obi appealed to the congregation not to restrict their prayers to politicians they considered favourable or oppose those they disagreed with politically.
He said the challenges facing Nigeria could be addressed if the country’s political leaders developed the necessary commitment to serve the public interest.
“Don’t say one is good, the other one is bad. All of us, remember all of us in your prayers, because the problem of the country can be solved. I assure you of that,” he said.
His comments come amid continuing national debates over Nigeria’s economic difficulties, public accountability, poverty, unemployment and the effectiveness of government policies.
Obi has consistently made leadership and responsible management of public resources central themes in his political advocacy, arguing that Nigeria’s resources should be directed towards improving infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and other areas that directly affect citizens.
At the Koinonia Global gathering, however, he framed the issue from a spiritual perspective, asking Nigerians to pray for those entrusted with political authority and responsibility.
He maintained that a change in the attitude of political leaders could have a significant impact on the country’s development trajectory.
The former Anambra governor also stressed the importance of collective responsibility, urging Nigerians to pray for all political leaders rather than approaching the country’s challenges solely through the lens of political affiliations.
For Obi, the solution to Nigeria’s difficulties lies not primarily in the absence of resources, but in how those resources are managed and deployed by those entrusted with public office.
He expressed confidence that the country’s problems could be overcome if leaders were genuinely committed to using public resources for the public good.
His remarks are likely to further fuel the ongoing political conversation ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly over leadership, accountability and the management of Nigeria’s vast resources.
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