By Kingston Magare 1.10.2026
Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), presidential candidate Peter Obi, said Nigeria is the worst place anybody can live at the moment and Nigerians must change the narrative in January 2027.
Obi in his Independence Day message said accused the ruling All Progressives Congress government of unleashing unprecedented hardship on Nigerians and also failing to provide employment and security.
“Today, we stand before the world as a nation with the highest number of people living in poverty and hardship, over 140 million; with the highest number of out-of-school children over 80 million; one of the most terrorised and insecure countries with rampant banditry, kidnapping.”
“Recently, we lost 37 young people in their productive age. Where millions struggle for hunger, we are now one of the hungriest country of the world, 109 moved to 115 in the recent times with food organisations saying that by the end of this year, 40 million will face extreme hunger.
“We’ve had one of the worst infant and maternal mortality rates in the world today.
“Today, Nigeria is the worst place to be born. Our youth unemployment is the highest; over 35 million youths are unemployed, and we have one of the worst drug prevalences globally.”
He said a new Nigeria is possible when citizens demand for accountability from leadership.
“My message today is not one of despair. It is a message of hope, determination and responsibility. I dare to proclaim with full assurance that a new Nigeria is possible.
“The Nigeria we desire will not be built by prayers alone, nor by promises alone.
“It will be built by leadership that understands that public office is a sacred trust, by citizens who demand accountability, and by all of us who refuse to accept failure as our destiny. It is time to build the new and productive Nigeria that is possible.”