A former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has warned Nigerians against electing incompetent leaders in the 2023 general elections.
Obi, a presidential hopeful on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, said everyone would suffer if Nigerians elect incompetent leaders from local government to federal levels.
He spoke at the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council (NENYLC) with the theme: National development: the role of the Nigerian youths on Thursday in Abuja.
He urged Nigerians to elect leadership that has the capacity to unite and pursue economic agendas that will turn the country around.
Obi said: “As the election comes, ensure that competent leaders that have the capacity to serve this nation are elected. You are the biggest loser. Let nobody give you the impression that by electing Obi or whoever you will have a better benefit. If it is somebody that is incompetent everybody will suffer.
“The youths in the north are suffering today. The youths in the south are suffering. I am sure you read the recent World Bank report which showed that more Nigerians are falling into poverty. It is not happening in one place alone.
“The insecurity you are experiencing in Nigeria is all over Nigeria; it is not peculiar to anybody. It is happening everywhere. It is important that you help to elect those who are competent.
“Let us elect leadership that has the capacity to unite us, the capacity to be able to pursue economic agendas that will turn around the country.
“What we are experiencing today is a reflection of leadership failure over the years. Don’t think you are going to get anything out of incompetent leadership no matter how it benefits you personally. It will worsen the entire country which will eventually worsen you.
The former governor urged the youths to take back the country by participating in politics.
He added: “Don’t celebrate those who are sharing money. This is the time to question those of us who are contesting elections; who are you? What did they do? Where were they 25 years ago? Don’t just listen to their grammar, don’t listen to their certificates because they have long certificates.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan urged politicians and leaders to unite to ensure the country has a peaceful poll in 2023.
Represented by former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, the former president urged the youths to work for the peace and unity of the country.
According to him, no nation can achieve anything without peace.
He said: “Let me emphasise that the youths of this country must understand that the unity of our nation is the only condition for the continuous development and progress of Nigeria. If every Nigerian is peaceful the nation will be peaceful.
“I am calling on the youths of Nigeria, particularly from the Northern part of Nigeria, I am appealing to us, let us do all we can through dialogue, through conferencing and discussion let our nation be at peace again.
“Democracy is a wonderful experience: there is nothing like it. During elections, the youths are usually the ones that have the strength either to maintain peace or disrupt it.
“If the youths of Nigeria prepare and say nobody will ever use them again to disrupt peace during elections there will be peace all over Nigeria on election day.
“Let us make sure that in the coming election the youths join hands together to ensure that 2023 is even more peaceful than previous elections.
“Every time election is coming people begin to say Nigeria will break up. Why should Nigeria’s election lead to break up of the country?”