The ongoing Middle East war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has destabilized the global economy, as confirmed by the IMF and World Bank. These institutions have warned all countries to adopt strategic measures to mitigate adverse effects on citizens and urged combatants to seek peaceful resolution. Nigeria is not immune to these ripple effects, but unlike other nations where adversity has fostered unity, some Nigerian opposition politicians have politicized the crisis.
Opposition Leaders Weaponizing Economic Hardship
Notably, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his PDP counterpart Atiku Abubakar have been accused of undermining the government rather than collaborating. Obi, in particular, has been vociferous in criticizing the administration without presenting a robust economic blueprint. Despite traversing the country and visiting IDP camps, he has failed to outline any concrete plan for economic recovery, relying instead on sentiment.
Obi's Lack of Performance Record as Governor
During his eight years as Anambra State governor, Obi left no signature transformation that placed the state ahead of its peers. There was no industrial revolution or radical overhaul of education or health policy that became a national model. Unlike President Bola Tinubu, who as Lagos governor articulated his economic blueprint including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, Obi has no enduring record to build upon.
The global recession affects all nations, from London to Lagos. What Nigeria experiences is part of a worldwide economic downturn, not a uniquely Nigerian curse. Obi's loudest advocates promote an ethnic agenda rather than economic policies. Strip away the slogans, and what remains is ethnic bigotry dressed as patriotism.
Obi's Political Decline
Obi's political career effectively ended after the 2023 election. In the subsequent Anambra gubernatorial election—his home state—his candidate came third. A man who cannot deliver his home state cannot claim to lead a federation of 36 states. Obi is a paper tiger: loud online, weak on the ground.
The real economy is what people experience daily. Hunger, poverty, and unemployment are not abstract statistics. When a mother cannot feed her children, GDP figures are irrelevant. Ethnic bigotry is not a policy platform. Obi had his chance to demonstrate executive capacity and failed.
Party Hopping Exposes Desperation
Obi's recent move from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) confirms his desperation for power. His vague mantra of a single tenure is a ploy to win northern support. This party hopping reveals ideological inconsistency and devalues his political leadership. In contrast, Tinubu remained in his party despite isolation and humiliation until becoming president.
It is inconceivable to entrust Nigeria's leadership to an inconsistent person. Obi should learn from Tinubu's steadfastness. The verdict is clear: Obi lacks the capacity to lead Nigeria, especially in these challenging times.
