Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has urged Nigerians not to despair but remain hopeful that a better Nigeria was still possible.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra, made this comment in his goodwill message to celebrate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary in Lagos on Sunday.

Mr Obi lamented the grave uncertainties and apparent hardship the citizens of Nigeria were experiencing due to persistent leadership failure after 63 years of their nationhood.

He added that the situation might be critical, but certainly not hopeless.

The presidential standard bearer noted that, in an analogy between a nation’s life and the parameters of modern technology, if the input is garbage in, then the output would be garbage out.

“When you Google a subject, the response you get will be based on the questions you input. Every nation invariably determines its own fate and destiny and gets the leadership it deserves.

“Nigeria cannot be an exception. If we subscribe to rogue leadership, then we must face the attendant consequences.

“At 63 years, what type of questions are Nigerians asking of their leaders, and what type of answer are we expecting?

“Present realities notwithstanding, I am hopeful that a new Nigeria is possible, but the burden of responsibility is on Nigerians,” Mr Obi added. 

Mr Obi said that every October 1, since 1960, people have tried to review their life as a nation but on looking back, could they say that “where we are is where we are supposed to be despite our vast human and natural resources?” 

The presidential candidate wished Nigerians a happy independence anniversary, praying for God’s continued mercy and grace on the nation.

(NAN)