The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, have again criticized Nigeria’s leadership and governance challenges, declaring that the country possesses abundant human and natural resources but continues to underperform because of poor leadership.
They spoke at the opening session of the Methodist Church Nigeria’s 50th/15th Biennial Conference in Ibadan, Oyo State, where delegates from across Nigeria and the diaspora gathered under the theme, “I Will Fight For You” (Exodus 14:14), with discussions centring on national security, governance, economic recovery, leadership, justice and the future of the country.
For Makinde, Nigeria’s challenge was not a lack of talent or resources but the quality of leadership.
“Our nation does not lack talent. It does not lack resources. What Nigeria needs now more than ever is leadership that brings people together around a common purpose and the courage to place service above self,” the governor said.
He then openly declared his intention to seek Nigeria’s highest office, noting, “It is no secret that I am running to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“This is the type of leadership I will offer if I am given the opportunity to serve Nigeria. I use this opportunity to solicit your support, and I am confident that with faith in God and commitment from all of us, our best days as a nation are still ahead,” he said.
Makinde expressed hope that the conference would strengthen national unity, deepen commitment to service and renew faith in Nigeria’s future.
Obi Faults Nigeria’s leadership
In his remarks, Obi thanked the Methodist Church for its contributions to national development, adding that Nigerians should stop deceiving themselves about the country’s challenges, insisting that the nation’s greatest problem remained leadership.
“There is nothing wrong with Nigeria. The only thing wrong with Nigeria is leadership. We have enough land to cultivate the food we need. We have enough human capital to develop like any nation,” Obi said.
“We have enough natural resources to generate enough revenue. There is absolutely nothing lacking in this country except responsible leadership.”
The former Anambra State governor cited food insecurity as evidence of governance failure, stating, “The World Bank has stated that millions of Nigerians are facing active hunger. It should never be so.”
“Bangladesh produces almost ten times more rice than Nigeria despite occupying a far smaller land area. Israel exports food, yet Sambisa Forest alone is about three times the size of Israel. Our problem is not land. Our problem is leadership.”
He accused Nigerian politicians of placing personal enrichment above national development, pointing out that “we politicians do not want to do anything apart from stealing public money, even money we do not need. That is our problem.”
Obi urged governments to invest heavily in agriculture, education and healthcare rather than waste public resources.
“We need leaders who have competence, capacity and compassion. We must move Nigeria from consumption and stealing to production and value creation,” he said.
He also narrated his conversations with Governor Makinde following the abduction of pupils, teachers and their principal in Oriire Local Government Area, expressing disappointment over what he described as the Federal Government’s inadequate response.
“I visited Governor Makinde and asked him how things were progressing. He told me he had not received a call from the President,” the former Anambra governor said.
“I said that was wrong because the incident happened in Nigeria. If criminals can enter a forest to kidnap innocent citizens, the Nigerian state should be able to enter that same forest and ensure that no criminal comes out alive.”
According to him, insecurity persisted because corruption had weakened the country’s institutions.
“Non-state actors cannot be stronger than the state unless corruption is involved,” the NDC presidential candidate said.
Obi further urged religious leaders to remain fearless in confronting those in authority, stressing, “You are among the few remaining voices that can still tell politicians the truth. Please continue to stand up because if this country descends into anarchy, nobody will be spared.”
Warning against abuse of public resources, he added: “There are two things money cannot buy. You cannot pay somebody to be sick for you, and you cannot pay somebody to die for you. Therefore, let public money be used for public good.”
Prelate’s State of the Nation Address
Earlier in his State of the Nation address, the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Oliver Aba, commended Governor Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the conference, while celebrating Ibadan’s rich historical, educational and cultural heritage, including the University of Ibadan, Immanuel College of Theology, Cocoa House and Africa’s first television station.
Focusing on the conference theme, the Prelate said the biblical account of God’s deliverance of Israel remained relevant to present-day Nigeria, where insecurity had become a major threat to national survival.
“Banditry, kidnapping and killings have turned flourishing farming communities in states such as Borno, Benue and Plateau into theatres of sorrow. Farmers have been displaced, women raped, food production disrupted and human blood now flows like rivers.”
“I call on the Federal Government to rise to one of its primary constitutional responsibilities of securing human lives and property.”
The church leader described the rescue of schoolchildren, teachers and their principal abducted in Oriire Local Government Area after 56 days in captivity as one of the few encouraging security successes recorded recently.
“We thank Jesus Christ for the rescue of the 46 Nigerians abducted in Oyo State. Their freedom was made possible through the combined efforts of praying Christians and security agencies,” the cleric said.
“But we remain deeply saddened that Mr Michael Oladokun and Mr John Ola never returned home because they were murdered by the kidnappers.”
Reviewing Nigeria’s economic situation, the Prelate lamented the continued rise in inflation, the depreciation of the naira and escalating energy costs.
He said, “These remain trying times for Nigerians. The rising cost of living continues to affect education, healthcare and businesses across the country.”
He appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take meaningful steps to reverse the trend.
“The Methodist Church joins other well-meaning Nigerians in appealing to the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to meaningfully address inflation, the free fall of the naira and the unrealistic cost of energy.”
The Prelate also urged leaders across the three tiers of government to demonstrate sacrifice and accountability.
“Our governments must not abdicate the responsibilities for which they were elected. It is good to pray, but leaders must perform their duties creditably.”
He warned against negotiating with criminals, insisting that government should strengthen security operations instead.
“Governments must stop paying ransom to kidnappers. The Federal Government must become proactive on issues relating to banditry, kidnapping and insecurity,” the preacher told the gathering.
Calling on Christians to remain steadfast in prayer while demanding accountability from leaders, the Methodist leader said, “We need prayers to overcome our personal and national problems. We pray that God will grant Nigeria mercy, justice, prosperity and leaders who will faithfully serve the people.”
