- Urges Nigerians to pray for political leaders
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, says political leaders are at the heart of Nigeria’s problems, and not poverty as being widely mentioned
He said the political class should be held accountable for mismanaging the nation’s abundant resources, insisting that elected leaders and public officials must bear personal, legal, and political responsibility for corruption, waste, or inefficient use of a country’s natural and financial wealth.
According to him, Nigerians should no longer be docile but ready to demand accountability from leaders on how they use resources while also ensuring they face consequences for failing to convert these resources into development in the citizens’ overall interest
Obi, who spoke on Sunday during a Thanksgiving service marking the 50th anniversary of Oyo State at St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, appealed to Nigerians to pray for politicians, that God may guide them to use public funds responsibly, saying: “I make a request to Nigerians. Please do remember us politicians in your prayers. We are the problem of Nigeria. Nigeria is not a poor country, it is poorly governed.
“Remember us in your prayers that God should touch our hearts to use public money for the public good. If we do this, Nigeria will be good. May God bless all of you and bless your family always.”
However, acknowledging the remarkable progress made in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, under Governor Seyi Makinde, the former Anambra Governor described the city as both historic and transformative.
He said, “It’s always an honour to be in Ibadan. I was here on Tuesday to visit the university. I was telling somebody a story about Ibadan, a very historic town where all of us Nigerians were formed several years ago. It is a city of knowledge, a city of hope. Ibadan has witnessed major upliftment under Governor Seyi Makinde.”
While appreciating Governor Makinde’s leadership, and noting that the future of Oyo State looks great and the ADC Chieftain said, “As we celebrate these 50 years, I pray that the next 50 years of this great state will be exemplary. May God Almighty continue to bless our governor, his family and all members of his team.”
Going down memory lane, Obi recalled: “I was here at the onset of his government, as one of those that were called in to come and talk to his commissioners, and I thank him for his exceptional love”, even as he charged the people of Oyo state to continue supporting the governor and to pray that God would guide leaders to work for the common good of the state and its people.
On the need to build strong institutions rather than relying on individuals, the former governor noted that Governor Makinde’s “focus on continuity, systems, and shared responsibility reflects a statesmanlike vision and offers reassurance that the progress of Oyo State will be sustained beyond any single administration.”
Obi also use the occasion to appreciate the Bishop of Ibadan North, Williams Aladekugbe, for what he considered a ‘timely and profound’ sermon, adding that, “He reminded us that thanksgiving is not merely a ritual but a moral discipline that nurtures humility, responsibility, and service to the common good.”
