- Peter Obi says poverty and injustice have pushed Nigeria into global embarrassment.
- He warns that failed leadership and moral decay are worsening poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.
- Obi urges editors to defend truth and hold leaders accountable for Nigeria’s progress.
- Amaechi and other speakers blamed corruption and bias for Nigeria’s growing national crisis.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep worry over what he called Nigeria’s worsening moral and economic collapse, saying the combination of poverty, injustice, and failed leadership has dragged the country into global embarrassment.
Speaking at the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Abuja, Obi said Nigeria’s crisis is not shaped by foreign opinions but by the realities citizens now endure every day. According to him, the country has lost its moral footing, leaving over 130 million people in poverty and more than 20 million children outside the classroom.
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He argued that Nigeria cannot regain respect among nations until it confronts the truth about corruption, impunity, and the growing disregard for human dignity. “We are not disgraced because of what outsiders say,” Obi noted, “but because of what we have accepted as normal. Over 130 million of our people live in poverty, millions of children are denied education, and we now rank among the world’s hungriest and least secure countries.”
Obi referenced a recent social media remark attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who allegedly described Nigeria as a “disgraced country.” He said such comments only mirror the painful truth Nigerians have been calling attention to for years.
The former Anambra governor described the situation as a moral emergency that demands accountability and genuine sacrifice from leaders. He condemned vote-buying, bribery, and corruption, insisting that a society built on such values cannot progress. “If I spend money to buy votes instead of rebuilding a school, what society am I creating?” he asked. “When people sell their votes, they sell their conscience, and when conscience dies, the nation collapses.”
Obi appealed to Nigerian editors to remain courageous and non-partisan, reminding them that their role goes beyond documenting events. “You are the conscience of our nation,” he told them. “Hold leaders accountable for the promises they keep, not the ones they make. Use your platforms to rebuild truth and integrity.”
Also speaking at the event, former Transport Minister and ex-Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, criticised what he described as a growing ethnic bias in the media. He warned that journalism loses its power the moment fear and tribal loyalty dictate what gets published. Amaechi recalled the vital role journalists played during military rule and said their declining boldness has weakened democracy.
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“During the military years, journalists were fearless,” he said. “Today, many are afraid to criticise politicians from their own region. That is why things are getting worse.” He added that poverty and insecurity in Nigeria stem from government’s inability to create real opportunities for citizens. “If people are denied legitimate means of survival, they will find illegitimate ones.”
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, praised Nigerian editors for offering constructive criticism that often guides government decisions. He said many of the ideas used to improve governance originate from media reports, stressing that journalists remain important partners in national development.
