Peter Obi Speaks Out: “My Desperation Is For Nigeria’s Progress

The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has emphasized that his desperation is not about becoming Nigeria’s president but about making the country work.

Speaking at the fourth convocation ceremony of Nexford University, a US-based online institution, Obi expressed concern over the poor state of leadership in Nigeria, describing it as an imposition on the people.

The former Governor of Anambra State encouraged graduating students to adopt a mindset of servitude, stressing the importance of leadership rooted in service and the drive to ignite meaningful change.

He remarked, “Everything we are saying here is to empower you to lead change and offer support. It’s not about wanting to be in charge or assuming positions of authority.

“When people claim I am desperate, I tell them, ‘No, I am not desperate to become Nigeria’s president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work, because it can work.’”

Quoting Nobel laureate James Robinson, Obi added, “Nigeria is a country that knows what to do to prosper but refuses to do it.”

He further criticized the country’s leadership, saying, “How can you allow people who have reached their destination to continue driving? They’ve passed their time, and they’ve passed their destination.

“It’s up to you to reignite the change we need. Use your skills and knowledge to help transform society. Don’t become part of the problem. Remember, you are a victim of Nigeria because my generation and the one before it failed to do the right thing, and we are all paying the price.”