Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the growing hardship in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, revealing that individuals who once invited him to dine with them now approach him for assistance.

 

Speaking on Wednesday at the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and Expanded Stakeholders’ Summit held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Obi painted a grim picture of the nation’s economic reality.

 

“The numbers are clear; the indices are clear; people are getting poorer every day,” Obi said. “Those that would call me to come and eat and drink with them, now see me and ask to bring something.”

 

Obi didn’t hold back in criticizing the current administration, declaring, “Nigeria is collapsing,” and urging LP members not to fear speaking out against poor governance. “Those who were afraid yesterday didn’t do any better. We must speak out when things are going wrong,” he added.

 

The NEC meeting was presided over by Nenadi Usman, former Minister of Finance and current Chairperson of the party’s caretaker committee.

Obi emphasized the need for internal reforms within the LP, pledging that the party will correct past mistakes and field only committed and competent candidates in the 2027 general elections.

 

“Anyone seeking to contest under our party must be a committed member, not just someone passing through. They must be competent,” he stated.

 

He called for a bottom-up restructuring of the party, ensuring transparency and fairness from the ward level up to the national structure. “We want to build a party that is fair, just, and truly representative of the people’s hopes,” Obi said.

 

“We must have senators who agree with us. Even if we fail, it’s better to fail doing the right thing than to be on the side of wrong.”

Obi also addressed ongoing speculation about his political future, firmly stating he has no intention of leaving the Labour Party.

 

“I’ve never told anyone or given any indication of leaving this party,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to the LP and its mission to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.

 

As economic hardship deepens across the country, Obi’s remarks strike a resonant chord among many Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative ahead of the next general election.