• Obi warns of bleak future, says APC policies pushing Nigerians deeper into poverty
• Atiku’s aide faults Tinubu’s speech, says citizens’ reality contradicts govt’s claims
• CAN, Anglican Primate decry leadership failure, rising poverty, deepening divisions
• Experts call for new constitution, mobile voting to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy
• Stakeholders push for urgent electoral reforms ahead of 2027 polls
Sixty-five years after independence, Nigeria’s leaders, opposition figures, clerics, and governance experts have delivered a sobering verdict on the state of the nation, warning that worsening poverty, insecurity, weak institutions, and declining democratic standards demand urgent reforms to rescue the country’s future.
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, described Nigeria’s future as bleak, warning that human development indicators show the country ranking among the lowest globally, 65 years after independence.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to mark this year’s Independence Day, Obi accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of pursuing corruption and harsh economic policies that have worsened poverty, deepened food insecurity, weakened power supply, increased reckless borrowing, and fuelled insecurity that is crippling the economy.
Obi, who is also a member of a political coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stated that Nigeria has everything required to become a great nation, defeat terrorism, and restore peace, but has been held back by poor leadership that benefits only a few. He urged political leaders to put aside personal interests and return the country to a path of justice, equity, and shared prosperity.
Recalling Nigeria’s economic history, Obi noted that by the end of 2007, the country’s total debt was about N2.5 trillion, only 10 per cent of GDP, after President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government secured debt forgiveness worth over $30 billion. By 2014, he said, Nigeria had become Africa’s largest economy and was on course to achieve middle-income status.
“Today should be a day of joy and remembrance,” Obi said. “On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained independence to global acclaim as an emerging African power. Time Magazine even predicted the rise of a true African superpower. But tragic failures of leadership derailed that vision. In 1999, we overcame military dictatorship and built Africa’s largest economy. Today, under the APC’s incompetent, divisive, and corrupt leadership, Nigeria has been greatly diminished.”
He said the country’s total debt has now ballooned to about N175 trillion, accounting for almost 50 per cent of GDP, without any significant improvement in the productive sectors. Nigeria, he added, has slipped to the fourth-largest economy on the continent, behind South Africa, Egypt and Algeria, while its democracy is widely described as “undemocratic.”
“In just one year, this administration pushed over 15 million Nigerians into acute poverty,” he said. “More than 150 million Nigerians now lack access to basic healthcare, education, water, and sanitation. This number grows daily under a government that taxes struggling citizens and small businesses while indulging in extravagance.”
Obi accused the government of wasteful spending, citing billions spent on presidential jets, yachts, and luxury cars that exceed the 2024 budget for primary healthcare. He also criticised the N25 billion renovation of the Vice President’s residence, which he said was higher than the combined capital budgets of six federal university teaching hospitals, as well as over N10 billion allocated for National Assembly car parks and canteens: more than the Ministry of Science and Technology’s capital budget.
“Meanwhile, Nigerians pay more for everything and receive less. Passports, electricity, fuel, food, rent, and healthcare all cost more. Yet power supply remains unreliable, food insecurity deepens, and 33 million Nigerians are projected to face acute hunger in 2025,” he stated.
Obi also decried rampant insecurity and reckless borrowing for consumption rather than investment. “Nigerians now live in fear of travelling by road. Kidnapping is widespread, with billions paid in ransom. Cronyism and corruption have scared away investors, while other African nations overtake us as investment destinations,” he said.
Despite the dire situation, Obi maintained that Nigeria’s potential for greatness remains intact. He called for prudent economic management, investment in human capital, the rule of law, and infrastructure as priorities for national recovery. He urged Nigeria to learn from countries like China, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh, which turned their economies around through disciplined leadership and people-centred policies.
“The current administration’s failures must not lead us to despair. They should fuel our determination to rebuild,” he said. “Nigeria has the resources, talent, and resilience to become an industrialised nation. With the right leadership, we can defeat terrorism, restore security, and create communities where enterprise thrives. The old politics that enriches a few and impoverishes the many must end.”
Obi concluded by calling on political leaders to reject corruption, bigotry and division, and to embrace a new era defined by competence, compassion and commitment. “Despite today’s challenges, the future remains bright,” he said. “Against all odds, Nigeria will rise again. Happy Independence Day to all Nigerians.”
Atiku’s aide faults Tinubu’s speech, says citizens’ reality contradicts govt’s claims
Phrank Shaibu, special assistant on public communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, criticised President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, describing it as detached from the harsh realities confronting Nigerians.
In his broadcast, Tinubu said Nigeria had “turned the corner” after his administration inherited a “near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignment that had impaired real growth.”
But in a statement issued afterwards, Shaibu dismissed the president’s optimism, saying claims of progress in education, healthcare, the economy, and security were inconsistent with the lived experiences of ordinary citizens.
“The yams may be plentiful, but if the pot is empty, the stomach still rumbles. Today, Nigeria’s pot is not only empty but cracked, and the people remain hungry,” Shaibu said.
He criticised the government’s record on education, arguing that many pupils still learn in poor conditions and teachers continue to struggle with inadequate salaries. “A man who builds many huts without roofs has only built shade for goats,” he said.
On healthcare, Shaibu said that many Nigerians are still required to provide their own candles, syringes, and basic medications before receiving treatment in public hospitals. He also dismissed the administration’s economic reforms, saying food prices have soared, transportation costs have overwhelmed households, and many families now survive on less than one meal a day. “If these are the ‘seeds’ of reform, then the fruit is still bitter,” he said.
The opposition spokesman said the president’s claims about improved security were hollow, pointing to the recent killing of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an Arise TV journalist, during a robbery in Abuja. “A farmer cannot boast the bush is cleared while weeds still choke his yam,” Shaibu said.
He further questioned the government’s claims of disbursing billions of naira to poor households, arguing that such interventions have not reached those who need them. “If the yam was truly cooked, neighbours would perceive the aroma,” he said.
Shaibu added that, rather than thriving, Nigerian youths are being forced into menial jobs, such as selling sachet water or working as commercial motorcyclists, to survive. “You cannot tell a child to dream big while you steal the mat he sleeps on,” he said.
He urged the administration to reflect honestly on the country’s challenges, saying Independence anniversaries should serve as moments of sober reflection rather than self-congratulation. “Nigeria is 65 years old. But our leaders still serve promises as though they were meals. The yam is there, but the pot remains empty,” Shaibu said.
CAN, Anglican Primate decry leadership failure, rising poverty, deepening divisions
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) warned that millions of Nigerians are still trapped in hunger, insecurity and unemployment despite ongoing government reforms, stressing that true progress must be measured not by statistics but by visible improvements in people’s lives.
In a statement to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh congratulated the nation on its milestone but urged leaders to prioritise policies that deliver food security, protect lives, and create opportunities for young people. “True progress must be measured not only by statistics but by the food on every table, the security of every community, and the opportunities available to every child,” Okoh said.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s achievements since independence, including growth in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and telecommunications, CAN stated that the gains were being eroded by rising living costs, widespread food insecurity, unemployment, and persistent inflation. It prayed for “wisdom, courage, and strength” for the nation’s leaders to drive reforms that would bring real relief to households and warned them against the influence of sycophants.
The association expressed concern about the state of security, noting that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts continued to inflict pain on citizens and displace families. Although it acknowledged some progress in restoring safety, CAN said much more needs to be done to ensure lives and property. It called for stronger collaboration between security agencies, local communities and faith-based organisations to consolidate peace efforts.
On youth development, CAN described young Nigerians as the country’s greatest asset but warned that persistent brain drain was depriving the nation of its brightest minds. It called for a more enabling environment that would encourage citizens to stay and contribute to national development, with sustained investments in education, innovation and empowerment.
The body also appealed for unity and collective sacrifice to overcome national challenges. “On this anniversary, let us renew our commitment to justice, equity, and good governance. Let us embrace hard work, pay our taxes faithfully, support local production, and show love to one another as one people under God,” Okoh said. He expressed optimism that with divine help and collective determination, Nigeria could still achieve peace, prosperity and unity.
Also speaking on the state of the nation, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, urged political leaders and citizens to imbibe the spirit of patriotism, volunteerism, and sacrifice, warning that the country could not prosper under corruption, nepotism, banditry, and insecurity. He stressed that without security, there could be no development or prosperity, and called on the judiciary to rise to its responsibilities.
Ndukuba urged a “paradigm shift” in how Nigerians view themselves, their nationhood and the future, warning that posterity would not judge current leaders kindly if they fail to act. While commending the government’s political will to tackle insecurity, he said the military must be properly equipped to defeat insurgents and expose those who fund violence.
The cleric criticised Nigeria’s economic performance, comparing it unfavourably with countries like Brazil. “We are still importing steel despite having abundant iron ore. Ajaokuta Steel remains idle after huge investments, and people are still being paid salaries. Why can’t we produce these things?” he asked.
On national unity, Ndukuba warned that politicians often exploit ethnic and religious divisions for personal gain. “The problem of Nigeria is not the ordinary Nigerians. It is caused, sponsored and financed by the political elites,” he said, adding that the country’s more than 250 ethnic groups required a stronger force to hold them together.
Reflecting on 65 years of independence, Ndukuba said Nigerians should be grateful for the country’s resilience but lamented a decline in leadership values. “If our founding fathers were to return and see what is happening today, many would be sad. They embraced each other and worked as one people for political, economic, social and cultural emancipation. But today’s leaders are driven by entitlement and wealth accumulation,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s future depended on leaders abandoning self-interest and uniting to pursue a shared national vision. “Until we unite to fight a common battle to grow and develop this nation, nothing will happen,” he said.
Experts call for new constitution, mobile voting to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy
As Nigeria marked 65 years of democracy, former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Joe Abah, and Principal of Alder Consulting, Leke Alder, have renewed calls for a new constitution and sweeping electoral reforms to make governance more effective and inclusive.
Speaking yesterday at The Platform Nigeria in Lagos, organised by Pastor Poju Oyemade and themed “Rebuilding Our Nation,” both experts said the current political and constitutional arrangements have outlived their usefulness and must be replaced to ensure the country works for all citizens.
Abah called for a return to a decentralised system with powerful regions and a lean central government, proposing a revenue allocation formula in which the federal government retains 20 to 30 per cent of revenue, while regions control 70 to 80 per cent. He advocated a new constitution modelled on the 1963 arrangement, where the regions had significant autonomy to shape their economic and political destinies.
He suggested that the six geopolitical zones, which are already recognised and contiguous, should serve as the foundation for the new structure. Under this system, each zone would draft its own constitution, decide on local policing and census arrangements, and determine the number of local governments it can sustain.
Abah criticised the current model, where revenue allocation and the number of local governments are often based on political considerations rather than productivity or economic output. He also faulted the use of population figures in revenue sharing, which he said encourages states to inflate census data.
According to him, piecemeal constitutional amendments will not solve Nigeria’s structural problems. “Patching a torn piece of clothing won’t make it new,” he said, arguing that a fresh constitution is essential to prevent systemic collapse. He likened the situation to a flawed play script, saying even the best actor cannot turn a tragedy into a comedy without rewriting the script.
Abah also cautioned against nostalgia for military rule, noting that democracy in Africa has often failed to deliver basic public goods, creating space for such sentiments. He added that over-centralisation has fuelled a culture of “uniformity of mediocrity” and stripped states of accountability, leaving citizens to blame the federal government for every problem. “When one level of government controls more than half of the country’s resources, it is inevitable that expectations and frustrations will be directed there,” he said.
Alder, on the other hand, focused on the need for deep electoral reform to strengthen democracy and enhance political accountability. He argued that the current system is frequently hijacked by thugs, resulting in violence, ballot box snatching, and widespread insecurity during elections. As a result, political leaders often become accountable only to themselves, not to the electorate.
To address these challenges, Alder proposed adopting mobile voting, which he said would improve efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness. Mobile voting, he argued, would eliminate long queues, reduce logistical obstacles, and enable real-time collation of results.
He acknowledged that connectivity issues could pose challenges in rural areas but suggested partnerships with telecommunications providers like Starlink to provide special coverage. He also emphasised the need for strong security features, including end-to-end verification, biometric authentication, and encryption, to safeguard the integrity of the process.
Alder further recommended making the system transparent and open source so that election officials, cybersecurity experts, and citizens can independently verify its reliability. He said a pilot phase would be crucial to localising and refining the system before nationwide implementation.
Both speakers agreed that Nigeria’s democratic institutions require bold structural changes to deliver effective governance and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
Stakeholders push for urgent electoral reforms ahead of 2027 polls
Leaders of the National Consultative Front (NCFront) have warned that only far-reaching electoral reforms can guarantee credible elections in 2027, insisting that Nigeria must overhaul its leadership recruitment process to escape deepening political and economic stagnation.
The call was made at the National Dialogue on Electoral Reforms Summit, jointly organised by NCFront, Labour and Civil Society Front (LCSF), Nigeria Election Reforms Coalition (NERCO) and Partners for Electoral Reforms.
The virtual summit, held on Tuesday in Abuja, focused on key areas such as voter education, diaspora voting, and accountability within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Speakers argued that meaningful democratic change cannot occur unless citizens understand their civic duties and are empowered to defend their votes.
Meanwhile, an advocacy group, National Amalgamation for the Continuation of Renewed Hope (NACRH), used the Independence Day celebration to praise President Bola Tinubu’s policies and urged Nigerians to support his re-election in 2027.
Speaking at the formal launch of the coalition, Olorunwa Adeleke, National Coordinator of NACRH, said Tinubu’s economic reforms were already yielding results. He cited a 4.23 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025, inflation dropping to 20.12 per cent, the lowest in three years, and foreign reserves reaching $42.03 billion.
Adeleke argued that continuity was necessary to consolidate these gains, stating that reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of the exchange rate, and structural fiscal changes were essential but required time to deliver their full benefits. “This is not about power but about progress in continuity,” he said. “A discontinuity now would undo months, even years, of hard-fought gains.”
At the summit, key political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former ministers Oby Ezekwesili and Rotimi Amaechi, all called for urgent steps to reform Nigeria’s electoral system.
Obi stressed that democracy could only survive if elections reflected the will of the people. “It would be a double tragedy if Nigerians, after years of flawed leadership, also lose faith in elections,” he warned.
Ezekwesili called for direct statutory funding of INEC to guarantee its independence and urged that the commission be granted prosecutorial powers to sanction electoral offenders. She also pushed for mandatory electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act, arguing that technology was now indispensable to credible elections. She further called for the involvement of civil society in the appointment of electoral commissioners and demanded greater judicial accountability, including the automated assignment of election petition cases and stronger disciplinary action against erring judges.
Speakers identified several priorities for reform, including the adoption of mandatory electronic transmission of results with safeguards against manipulation, diaspora voting to enfranchise Nigerians abroad and those on essential duty, proportional representation and reserved seats for women and vulnerable groups, independent monitoring of post-election defections to protect voters’ choices, and enhanced INEC accountability to reduce reliance on courts and security agencies. Participants also emphasised the importance of civic education and leadership training at the grassroots level to counter voter inducement and foster a stronger democratic culture.
The summit, initially scheduled as a physical event in Abuja before being moved online, will reconvene on October 21, where stakeholders plan to consolidate reform proposals into a consensus document for legislative advocacy and citizen mobilisation. NCFront also emphasised the importance of diaspora involvement and international pressure in driving reform, particularly as the National Assembly prepares to resume debates on constitutional amendments.
“This is just the beginning,” the organisers stated. “The task ahead is to build consensus, push for legislative action, and mobilise citizens for ownership of the process. The 2027 elections are only two years away. Reforms must begin now.”
