The Minister of Justice and Solicitor-General of the Canadian Government of Alberta, Kelechi Madu, says he looks forward to the emergence of a competent and visionary leader as Nigeria has drifted into dangerous territory under President Muhammadu Buhari regime.

“While no one doubts that the country has drifted into dangerous territory,” Mr Madu said in a statement shared on his Facebook page on Friday to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration.

“I have always been an eternal optimist about the future of the ordinary people of Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Madu described Nigeria as a sleeping giant with huge human and natural resources, saying he looks forward to the emergence of a competent and visionary leader.

“I look forward to a new and reimagined leadership with the vision, capacity and good intentions to think through the entire country from the rainforest of the South East, to the cocoa plantation of the South West, the mountains of Plateau and the desert plains of the North,” he said.

“The people of this sleeping giant are exceedingly blessed with human and natural resources. They are hardworking, bright and resilient.

“I am rooting for their liberation and success so that they can achieve their God-given potential. I wish them a very happy celebration,” Mr Madu said.

Nigeria marked her 61st Independence Anniversary Friday, eliciting much criticism over insecurity, underdevelopment and economic hardship.

Contrary to criticisms, Mr Buhari, in his speech, said he had done better than his predecessors since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.