Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged Nigerians to confront the country’s decline and take collective responsibility for rebuilding the nation, warning against handing over a troubled Nigeria to future generations.
In a reflective Father’s Day message on Sunday, Obi painted a picture of a country that has drifted far from the unity, security and prosperity he experienced growing up, asking a pointed question: “Are we cursed, or are we the cause?”
The former Anambra State governor said he belonged to a generation that witnessed a more cohesive Nigeria, where ethnic and religious differences rarely defined relationships and where citizens enjoyed greater confidence in public institutions.
He recalled an era when the naira was stronger, Nigerian passports commanded respect abroad, and citizens could travel across the country without fear of insecurity.
According to Obi, the decline has extended beyond security concerns to the weakening of institutions that once inspired public confidence, including the electoral system, education, healthcare and public infrastructure.
“Nigerians once had greater faith in elections, stronger institutions and more confidence in the direction of the country,” he noted.
The NDC flagbearer also expressed concern over what he described as Nigeria’s shrinking international relevance, citing the country’s absence from the recent G7 meeting attended by African nations such as Egypt and Kenya.
While acknowledging the scale of the challenges facing the country, Obi insisted that the solution lies in active citizenship rather than despair.
He urged Nigerians, particularly fathers and guardians, to see nation-building as a shared responsibility and to participate fully in the democratic process by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), voting conscientiously and defending the sanctity of their votes.
Obi argued that the future of the country would depend largely on the choices citizens make and the quality of leadership they are willing to demand.
“We must not merely complain about the Nigeria we have inherited; we must work to create the Nigeria we want to leave behind,” he said.
He maintained that despite the nation’s challenges, a brighter future remains achievable through accountable leadership, national unity and citizen participation.
The former governor concluded by urging Nigerians not to lose hope, insisting that the task of rebuilding the country begins with a collective decision to act.
“A New Nigeria is Possible,” he stated.