Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has drawn a sharp comparison between India and Nigeria, lamenting what he described as misplaced priorities and poor governance at home.
In a statement titled “A Tale of Two Nations: India and Nigeria,” Obi referenced a recent message by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, highlighting India’s focus on artificial intelligence and innovation.
“Today, Monday, Indians woke up to a tweet from their Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, thanking citizens for standing at the forefront of artificial intelligence, a technology transforming every sector of their society,” Obi said. “He expressed confidence that the outcomes of the AI Summit would help shape a future for their children that is progressive, innovative, and opportunity-driven.”
Obi contrasted this with what he described as Nigeria’s troubling political climate.
“Yet in Nigeria, we wake up thinking about how to rig local government elections, how to exploit and impoverish the poor, and how to use the very children we should be nurturing for the future as tools for manipulation and election malpractice,” he stated.
According to him, Nigeria’s challenges are not rooted in a lack of potential but in governance failures.
“Nigeria is rich in talent, resources, and promise, yet we allow bad governance, greed, and selfishness to define our reality,” Obi said. “What we are today is far from what we ought to be: a nation where every child can dream freely, every citizen can thrive, and leadership is measured by service and vision, not manipulation and personal gain.”
The former governor called on Nigerians to demand a different kind of leadership, anchored on empathy and accountability.
“It is time for Nigerians to demand leadership imbued with compassion, commitment, and character — leadership that works not just for a few, but for all, and that transforms promise into progress.”
