Nigeria Now Crime Scene – Peter Obi

…Says Citizens Live in Refugee Camps Without War

By Friday Obande

The presidential candidate of Labour Party, (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi has likened Nigeria to a “crime scene”, saying citizens are forced to live like in internally displaced persons, (IDPs).

He blew hot on Tuesday at the public presentation of the book titled ‘Obi: The Political Change Agent, A Book Presentation and Renaissance of the Obidient Movement’, authored by Ike Abonyi, former Group Political Editor of ThisDay Newspaper.

He said “All of us must work hard to dismantle this crime scene called a country because there is no way we will be able to survive with this. It is impossible.

“Today in Nigeria, we are not at war, but Nigerians are living in IDP camps in their own country. 

“Nigerians are refugees in Chad and Cameroon. And the only reason is that we don’t have a government that cares for the people.

“Some people are dancing while the ship is sinking. When it finally goes down, it will consume everyone, rich or poor.

“I have seen this before in places like Beirut and Afghanistan, where they had lovely buildings but were all destroyed,” Obi noted.

The 2023 presidential Candidate of the LP also said politicians are acquiring what they do not need instead of sacrificing for peace, as he criticised the federal government for lack of care for citizens, widespread poverty, insecurity, and suffering.

Obi further attributed the situation to a leadership that prioritises self-interest over the well-being of the populace, continuing that the country’s economic structure is fundamentally broken, with millions of out-of-school children and many citizens unable to access basic services.

The former two-time Governor of Anambra State said corruption has devalued the naira, turning it into a tool for enriching the few without creating value.

He noted that there is a need for integrity in public finance and policy, adding that stolen or illicit money disrupts the currency market and weakens the economy.

Obi said he would have first eliminated the corruption embedded in the fuel subsidy scheme before attempting to remove it.

He said transparent governance has helped stabilise the currencies of Angola and Ghana, adding that Nigeria must dismantle the networks of illicit wealth that distort the economy.

Obi blamed past and present leaders for dismantling colonial-era infrastructure such as rail instead of building upon it.

He said the decline in the production sector, such as manufacturing and agriculture, is reflected in the empty roads and rails, as he called for political renewal through sacrifice and active participation, urging citizens to identify and support genuine leaders in future elections, particularly lawmakers.