Labour Party’s presidential flag bearer Peter Obi says many Nigerians are in captivity in bandits’ den, while lamenting the increased number of internally displaced citizens as a result of prolonged insecurity under President Muhammadu Buhari regime. 

“Many Nigerians are resigned, frustrated and tired of the many years of leadership failure. Many of our compatriots remain in captivity held by bandits; millions are living in IDP camps as their homes are now part of ungoverned spaces. Many Nigerian children go to bed hungry,” said Mr Obi. 

“Such people can hardly fathom the concept of independence and freedom; let alone a valid basis for celebration.” 

Mr Obi said this in his Independence Day speech shared in Twitter on Saturday morning, commemorating Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day anniversary.

Mr Obi, a frugal personality perceived as a better alternative to other candidates, reiterated his plan to make Nigeria a producing country, cutting cost of governance among others, if elected.

Meanwhile, Mr Buhari in his Independence Day speech on Saturday said his regime has made progress in combating insecurity, corruption and lifting Nigerians out of poverty.

“I then pledged to Improve the Economy, Tackle Corruption and Fight Insecurity and this was further strengthened by my commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years as the central plank of my second term in 2019.

“To the Glory of God and His Grace as well as the commitment and passion displayed by many Nigerian supporters, we have made appreciable progress in these areas but not yet at our destination,” Mr Buhari said.