RETURNING NIGERIA TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS

The struggle continues, writes Peter Obi 

The race for the next general elections has started. Different parties are presently engaged in their primaries to choose those that will represent them. It is therefore right to say that once again, history beckons.

In spite the bad governance over the years, Nigerians have remained hopeful for a national rebirth, which implies returning Nigeria to Nigerians –   farmers, teachers and students, lecturers, artisans, workers, pensioners an d over a hundred million poor Nigerians who are not sure where their next meal will come from.

Therefore, electioneering is seen as a time Nigerians are summoned to patriotic duties towards seeking the desired political emancipation of our dear country, which stands wounded by many years of cumulative leadership failure. Are we ready to do the right thing? 

Painfully, our current dysfunctional system rewards unearned income and conspicuous consumption; allows university lecturers to remain on strike for months; keep our youths at home; and owe pensioners, who gave their patriotic sweat and their youthful energy to serve this country. 

The despicable contrast is that those responsible for the mess – those elected to take care of them – have abandoned the national currency and are living in opulence. Like kings, our leaders spend dollars to buy delegates as well as houses all over the world. Meanwhile, they owe most workers, lecturers and retirees. Nigeria has become a butt of dinner jollity among other nations. 

Yes, our country stands hijacked by forces of retrogression. We are almost zero in all indices of development. As a result, our future, especially those of the youth and generations unborn is in ruins. We have become a laughing stock among other nations, including African countries where we were once revered.

Labour Party, as one that represents the workers and masses of this great nation has the well being of all at heart. We are working for the economic rebirth of the country.  As I am nominated today, I humbly proclaim that the journey towards the emancipation of the country has begun. 

I note with humility that the journey is going to be a collective one that will certainly require the cooperation of critical stakeholders in our country, especially the youth, whose future has been thoroughly degraded. 

I therefore thank all Nigerians of goodwill and call for your sustained support towards returning Nigeria to Nigerians from forces of bad leadership and retrogression. Such a noble tasks brooks no conscientious objectors.

I hardly use war metaphors for political analysis due to my belief that politics is not adversarial and not war. However permit me a little indulgence here, to relate what we are embarking on to the ancient battle of Thermopylae, where the Greek forces, conscious of fighting for the life of Greece held on against great odds in the defence of their country.

In the battle to re-take Nigerian, the odds are great and seemingly insurmountable, but with our commitment, patriotism and understanding that we are doing, what we are supposed to do for our country, lest she shall die, we shall move on discontent with what is and focused on enthroning what ought to be. In doing this, our battle cry shall remain: get your PVC and become part of this great libration!

Our governance mission will be twin-tracked. Secure Nigeria in every ramification: national security, human security, food security and tackling insecurity created by unemployment.

We will also seek to unite our nation by pulling our people out of poverty, and creating a new sense of nationalism and patriotism. Nigeria shall rise again: and her people will be proud to claim ownership of her patrimony. Doing so is in our collective national interest.   

As I earnestly thank Nigerians for their faith in me. In the days ahead I will publish our governance manifesto, which will spell out our top governance priorities.  I assure you that no region; state, local government or communities will be left behind. 

I also assure you all that the struggle continues and that victory is certainly in sight towards the guarantee of a meaningful future for our youths and making this country a respected and viable member of a 21st century world, that places high value on production over consumption.

Excerpts from Mr. Peter Obi’s speech after his nomination as the presidential flag bearer of Labour Party at Asaba, Delta State