Peter Obi says bad leadership and corruption keep Nigerians in hardship despite the country’s abundant resources

Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has attributed Nigeria’s ongoing economic struggles to poor governance and misguided leadership choices.

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Speaking to members of the Association of Skilled and Vocational Artisans of Nigeria (ASVAN), led by National President Obijuru Everest, Obi argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient natural and human resources to become one of the world’s strongest economies, but corruption and mismanagement continue to hold the nation back.

“Nigeria should not be a poor country. We have what it takes to be one of the strongest economies in the world, but bad leadership and wrong choices have kept our people in hardship,” Obi stated.

Obi highlighted societal practices that honour individuals accused of looting public funds, warning that such culture undermines national development.

He emphasised that corruption diverts funds from critical sectors such as education and healthcare, slowing economic progress.

“Resources that should go into schools, hospitals and productive sectors are mismanaged. When you underfund education and healthcare, you underdevelop the country,” he said, calling for strategic investment in human capital.

Drawing on lessons from Indonesia, Obi noted that improved governance and prioritisation of social sectors are essential for national advancement.

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He also stressed the importance of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), urging the government to support infrastructure, fair policies, and access to funding to stimulate job creation and poverty reduction.

The former governor concluded by urging citizens to actively engage in the democratic process and hold leaders accountable to ensure meaningful change.