Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Wednesday declared that Nigeria’s greatest challenge is poor leadership, insisting that the country has abundant human and natural resources to achieve rapid development.

They spoke at the opening of the 50th/15th Biennial Conference of the Methodist Church Nigeria in Ibadan, where the church also challenged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to address insecurity, inflation, the depreciation of the naira and worsening economic hardship.

The conference, attended by delegates from across Nigeria and the diaspora, has as its theme, “I Will Fight for You” (Exodus 14:14).

Addressing participants, Governor Makinde commended the Methodist Church for its contributions to education, healthcare, moral development and nation-building.

“For well over a century, this church has not only preached the gospel but has also invested in education, healthcare, community development and the moral formation of generations of Nigerians,” he said.

He described the church as one of the institutions helping to shape national values, adding that it had continued to speak truth to those in authority.

“The Methodist Church now speaks truth to power.”

Makinde said leadership should be driven by service rather than personal ambition.

“Leadership is not about privilege. It is about responsibility. It is measured not by the promises we make but by the lives we improve.”

He maintained that Nigeria’s problems were not caused by a lack of resources but by a deficit in purposeful 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 also formally declared his intention to contest Nigeria’s presidency.

“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.”

He appealed for support, expressing confidence that Nigeria could overcome its present challenges through committed leadership.

In his remarks, Peter Obi said the country’s developmental setbacks were traceable to poor leadership rather than a shortage of resources.

“There is nothing wrong with Nigeria. The only thing wrong with Nigeria is leadership. We have enough land, enough human capital and enough natural resources. There is absolutely nothing lacking in this country except responsible leadership.”

The former Anambra State governor said Nigeria’s worsening food insecurity reflected failures in governance.

“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.”

Obi accused political office holders of prioritising personal enrichment over national development.

“We politicians do not want to do anything apart from stealing public money, even money we do not need. That is our problem.”

He called for greater investment in agriculture, education and healthcare, saying Nigeria needed leaders with “competence, capacity and compassion”.

Commenting on the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Obi expressed disappointment over what he described as the Federal Government’s response.

“I visited Governor Makinde and asked him how things were progressing. He told me he had not received a call from the President. I said that was wrong because the incident happened in Nigeria.”

He added, “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.”

Earlier, the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Oliver Ali Aba, urged the Federal Government to take decisive action to address insecurity, inflation and the declining value of the naira.

He lamented that banditry and kidnapping had continued to devastate farming communities and worsen food insecurity across the country.

“I call on the Federal Government to rise to one of its primary constitutional responsibilities of securing human lives and property.”

While thanking God for the rescue of pupils, teachers and their principal who were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area after 56 days in captivity, the Prelate expressed sadness over those who lost their lives during the incident.

“We thank Jesus Christ for the rescue of the 46 Nigerians abducted in Oyo State. But we remain deeply saddened that Mr Michael Oladokun and Mr John Ola never returned home because they were murdered by the kidnappers.”

On the economy, he urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to urgently address rising inflation, the depreciation of the naira and high energy costs.

“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 church leader also warned governments against negotiating with kidnappers, insisting that security agencies should be strengthened to tackle criminality.

“Governments must stop paying ransom to kidnappers. The Federal Government must become proactive on issues relating to banditry, kidnapping and insecurity.”

He further urged public office holders to demonstrate accountability and sacrifice in the discharge of their responsibilities while calling on Nigerians to continue praying for peace, justice and good leadership. (Nigerian Tribune)

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