A PAIN ONE CARRIES SILENTLY

 

Peter Obi Decries ‘Silent Pain’ of Watching Nigeria Decline, Calls Out Leadership Insensitivity

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the state of the nation, describing the emotional toll many Nigerians silently endure as they watch the country grapple with insecurity, economic hardship, and what he called an alarming decline in governance standards. He mentioned this in a post on his verified X page.

In a reflective statement titled “A Pain One Carries Silently,” Obi recounted an encounter with a group of young Nigerians at the Abuja airport during his trip to Lagos on Monday. The youths reportedly approached him to express frustration over his recent silence amid a wave of troubling national events, including controversial ambassadorial appointments, widespread insecurity, and high-profile displays of insensitivity by political leaders.

Obi said their concerns reflect the sentiments of millions of citizens who feel increasingly abandoned by those in power.

> “There is a pain one carries silently when watching a nation you love bleed daily,” he said.

“There is a pain that words cannot fully describe—when you see the suffering of ordinary Nigerians and compare it to the reckless insensitivity displayed by those entrusted with leadership.”

The former Anambra governor criticised recent ambassadorial nominations, describing some of the selected individuals as among the “least qualified,” adding that such choices mirror a governance culture where mediocrity and impunity overshadow merit.

He also condemned what he called the disturbing contrast between the nation’s tragedies and the political class’s behaviour:

While citizens are being killed, leaders are hosting elaborate dinners.

While children are being abducted, political elites are celebrating and exchanging gifts.

While families struggle to eat, those in power remain insulated from hardship.

Obi warned that such indifference cannot be mistaken for governance, nor should it become normalised.

> “A nation rises when its leaders feel the pain of its citizens—not when they insulate themselves from it,” he said.

He further referenced an embarrassing comment from the U.S. President who reportedly described Nigeria as a “now disgraced country,” saying such remarks reflect global concerns about the nation’s current trajectory.

Despite the bleak realities, Obi urged young Nigerians not to lose hope, insisting that the dream of a better country remains achievable.

> “Do not become numb. Do not let this darkness demoralise your hearts,” he said.

“The New Nigeria we dream of… will happen because people like you refuse to accept failure as our destiny.”

Obi reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for a just, productive, and secure nation, concluding with his signature message:

“A New Nigeria is POssible.”