Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has described January as a deeply troubling month for Nigeria, warning that the developments recorded so far signal a difficult road ahead for the country if urgent corrective actions are not taken.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Obi said the first month of the year has exposed worsening insecurity, failing infrastructure, and misplaced leadership priorities, painting what he called a “grim portrait” of the nation’s current state.
According to Obi, insecurity has escalated nationwide, with reports of killings, mass kidnappings and abductions, including women, children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. He noted that ransom demands running into millions of naira have further traumatised families, while farmers remain unable to return to their fields due to persistent threats, worsening food insecurity and rural poverty.
The former Anambra State governor also expressed concern over Nigeria’s education sector, describing the situation as tragic and unacceptable. He lamented that millions of children remain out of school, while others are unable to attend classes due to insecurity and prolonged teachers’ strikes—particularly in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Obi questioned government priorities, pointing out that schools in Abuja remain closed despite billions of naira reportedly spent on renovating a conference centre for the president and constructing bus terminals. “One must question whether our leaders genuinely appreciate the vital role of education,” he said.
He further criticised the nation’s power sector, noting that Nigeria—already ranked among countries with the poorest electricity access—experienced two national grid collapses in January alone, compounding economic hardship for households and businesses.
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Turning to governance, Obi faulted President Bola Tinubu’s frequent foreign trips, stating that the president spent 23 days abroad in January across two trips, returning briefly before departing again to Türkiye. He questioned the urgency of these international engagements amid Nigeria’s mounting domestic challenges, suggesting that governance at home has been neglected.
“The collective impact of these events shows a nation battling insecurity, economic distress, collapsing infrastructure and deep social strain,” Obi said, adding that much of the political class appears more focused on power struggles and election calculations than on solving the daily problems faced by Nigerians.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of prioritising political rallies and welcoming defectors over addressing failing institutions and citizens’ suffering.
Despite his criticism, Obi ended on a hopeful note, reiterating his long-held belief that meaningful change remains achievable.
“A new Nigeria is possible,” he concluded.