Peter Obi of the Labour Party says Nigeria at 64 is one of the most corrupt and insecure countries in the world under President Bola Tinubu’s watch. 

Mr Obi, in a statement commemorating Nigeria’s Independence Day, blamed the country’s stagnation and glaring failures on Mr Tinubu and other political elites.

“For me, this should also be a day of sober reflection for every Nigerian, especially for us, the leaders, whose actions and inactions have contributed to the stagnation and glaring failures we are witnessing at present,” Mr Obi said.

The former Anambra governor further lamented Nigeria’s poverty, out-of-school children crisis, and failing economy, adding that “By every measure of development, from the critical areas to the smallest aspects, we are underperforming.”

“We rank poorly in security and peacefulness, making us one of the most insecure nations globally,” Mr Obi said. “We are also ranked among the most corrupt countries, and we are noted for our disregard for the rule of law. Our nation continues its dangerous dance on the edge of a precipice.”

On the contrary, Mr Tinubu, in his Independence Day speech, said Nigeria is making progress and “Over six decades, Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realising the lofty dreams of our founding fathers.”

The president claimed he has cleared a $7 billion inherited forex backlog, attracted over $30 billion in foreign direct investments in the past year, and eliminated over 600 bandits and Boko Haram terrorists troubling Nigeria’s security since he assumed office.