Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, has decried the high level of insecurity and hardship across Nigeria, describing the country as a “crime scene” in need of urgent fix.

Speaking during the presentation of a book – ‘Obi: The Political Change Agent’, in Abuja on Tuesday, Obi expressed concerns over the hardship Nigeria citizens are facing, implying that although Nigeria is not officially at war, many citizens live like refugees, both inside and outside the country.

“Today in Nigeria, we’re not officially at war, yet Nigerians are living in IDP camps in their own country. Nigerians are refugees in Chad, in Cameroon. And the only reason is because we don’t have a government that cares for them,” he said.

He cautioned on the current system of the country stating it unsustainable and dangerous, urging Nigerian to actively work hard to detach from what is called a crime scene of a country.

“Some people are dancing while the ship is sinking. When it finally goes down, it will consume everyone rich or poor. I’ve seen this before in places like Beirut and Afghanistan. Crisis does not discriminate,” he warned.

He further criticized the nation’s priorities, pointing out that while government buildings are being renovated and parties thrown, women continue to die during childbirth and millions of children remain out of school.

“We use public resources to paint offices and build mansions, while women die trying to give birth. According to a recent report, one woman dies every seven minutes in Nigeria during childbirth. That’s what we want to dismantle,” Obi stated.

The former Anambra State governor emphasized that many of Nigeria’s problems stem from a lack of leadership and value creation.

“Our leaders in government and business are producing poverty. When people hoard money without creating value, they are fueling poverty. A functional economy must be built on the exchange of real value,” he said.

On currency devaluation, Obi supported the idea but stressed the need to eliminate corruption first.

“Yes, I support removing fuel subsidy, but only after removing the criminality in the system. If we build confidence in the market and clean up corruption, the naira will stabilize. It’s happening in Ghana and Angola, why not here?”

He also lamented the collapse of Nigeria’s infrastructure, citing a trip to Kafanchan where he didn’t see a single trailer transporting goods, a sign, he said, of a broken, unproductive economy.

“Colonial masters built railways to move goods cotton, granite, ginger. Today, they’re gone. We have no trains, no trailers, nothing. And we wonder why people are hungry?”

Obi called for a new wave of leadership, especially in the National Assembly, urging voters to elect leaders who are committed to peace and service rather than personal gain.

“We must not allow people who want to make money from politics. If that’s your goal, you are part of the problem,” he declared.

“This time, we will vote. The votes will count. We will be everywhere.”

Obi ended his remarks by thanking supporters and urging them to remain committed to the cause of national transformation.

Earlier, Professor Sam Amadi, former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), described Peter Obi as the ideal leader to spearhead a necessary democratic revolution.

“A successful revolution is defined by democratic civilization and democratic diplomacy. Peter Obi possesses the profile, pedigree, personality, and passion to lead this change,” Amadi said.

He noted that while Nigeria’s challenges are vast, they can be overcome with the right leadership, commitment and collective sacrifice.

Segun Sowunmi, a former spokesman to Atiku Abubakar, the ex-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has given condition to support President Bola Tinubu.

Sowunmi disclosed that he would defect from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress before supporting President Tinubu.

Featuring on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday evening, Sowunmi said there is a strong possibility that he might leave the PDP.

According to him: “If I’m going to support Tinubu in 2027, by God and everything that is in me, I will leave and join his party.

“I don’t believe in the nonsense that says you are in one party while supporting someone else.

“I don’t have time for pretense, if I’m not there, I’m not there. I have been in PDP for 28 years and most of them don’t even have that record of 28 days.

“If I’m going to leave to support the president, I will damn say that I’m going.

“Why will anyone with sense in his head stay in a party when you are telling them to repair the party.

“I have screamed and shouted that we needed to reform the party. There is a very strong possibility, looking at what is going on in my environment, looking at my state where I come from, looking at my tribe and desire – there is a very strong possibility that I may likely leave.”

As the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) prepares to commission completed infrastructure projects in Abuja this week, the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, led a delegation of FCDA engineers, reporters and Contractors on a final inspection tour across several project sites on Monday, 9th June,2025.

Speaking after the inspection, the Minister expressed immense joy and gratitude to Almighty God for granting him the health, strength, and capacity to superintend over the delivery of these vital projects.

He also extended deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support and commitment to the development of the FCT under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are highly elated. First, we thank God Almighty for His grace. At a time when people say things are difficult, we have delivered critical infrastructure to the people. This is one of the happiest moments of my life”, Wike said.

The Minister noted that the successful completion of the projects is a testament to the importance of visionary leadership, clear goals, and firm commitment.

“Once you are focused on your objectives and committed to them, results will follow. It is not about having all the resources in the world, but the ability to manage what you have wisely, and politically, that’s what makes the difference”.

He acknowledged the inherent challenges of bureaucracy but emphasized the importance of clear direction.

“You talk about bureaucracy, of course it’s a problem, but again, when you sit down with people and you let them know that this is what you want to achieve and you are not going to accept anything less than that, they will key in”, the Minister stated.

The tour included inspection of the International Conference Centre, now renovated to world-class standards, Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) completed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, as well as the Arterial Road N16, from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway to the Wole Soyinka Way and the 15km OSEX II, connecting Apo and Wasa districts, executed by CGC.

Barrister Wike commended all contractors for keeping to their promises and delivering within the stipulated standards.

“We have personally supervised these projects to ensure compliance and quality. I can confirm that all contractors have done what they were contracted to do”.

On the management of ICC, the Minister announced that the newly developed event centre will be maintained by the same construction company that delivered it. “It will not be handed over to any politician or third party. Maintenance is a major issue in this country, and this time, it will not be business as usual. Anyone who wants to use the facility will pay, and that money will be used strictly for its upkeep and pay Julius Berger”, he said.

He also emphasized that local staff have been trained to manage the technology and operations of the new facilities. “The people working there are Nigerians. There is nothing too difficult in the technology. What matters is capacity-building and supervision”, he added.

The Minister assured residents that operations will commence immediately after the official commissioning this week.