Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said it is troubling that Nigeria’s political leadership is rapidly descending into an embarrassing spectacle, adding that too much attention is given to frivolities while poverty deepens.

In a post on X, Obi lamented that Nigerians are currently facing the highest levels of actual and multidimensional poverty, soaring infant mortality rates, millions of out-of-school children, hunger, insecurity, and countless other challenges.

He said amid the situation, one would expect the leaders to focus and sacrifice solely on providing urgent, transformative solutions to this myriad of problems.

“Instead, the national discourse is consumed by trivialities, whether it is allegations of sexual harassment or budget padding in the National Assembly, controversies surrounding State Houses of Assembly speakership, reckless court judgments threatening to destabilize or deprive the state of funding to provide needed services to the citizens.

“What is coming out of the three arms of government—the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary—is disgusting and uninspiring,” he said.

He further stated that the Executive’s show of negative power, as seen in Osun State, the reckless Judiciary pronouncement on Rivers State that is capable of threatening democracy, plus the embarrassing scandal from the National Assembly, all combine to give a gloomy picture of Nigeria’s democratic journey.

He urged the leaders in the three arms of government to avoid undue disruptive interference in the affairs of sub-national government activities.

He also urged them to stabilize Nigeria’s polity and stem politicians from defecting to parties where they feel it will be easier to rig them into office.

According to Obi, the reckless neglect of serious governance is a grave disservice to the millions of Nigerians who deserve competent, accountable leadership focused on solving real problems.

He also stated that the blatant display of political rascality, coupled with widespread irregularities, paints a distressing picture of a leadership that has abandoned its core responsibility to the people and is making governance resemble a theatrical performance rather than a serious commitment to public service.

“While citizens bear the crushing weight of various hardships due to misgovernance, those in power prioritize personal interests and political gamesmanship over the nation’s well-being. This mockery of leadership is not only unacceptable, it is a betrayal of the people’s trust,” he said.

He warned against governing Nigeria like a reality TV show while millions suffer for so long, adding that “it is time for leadership rooted in character, competence, capacity, consistency, compassion, and urgency—leadership that prioritizes education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.”

He concluded by stating that anything less threatens the nation’s stability, undermines the present, and betrays the nation’s future. (The Guardian)