By Charles Chijioke
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared that Nigeria is not inherently a poor nation but a country “looted into poverty,” as he renewed calls for what he described as a national liberation movement aimed at rebuilding the country.
Obi made the remark while addressing supporters and political stakeholders, where he drew a symbolic connection between the ongoing political movement around his supporters and the struggle that led to Nigeria’s independence.
“Nigeria isn’t a poor country, it was looted into poverty and we will change it,” Obi said.
“Our sign is the same sign our forefathers used for independence. It is a sign we will use to liberate Nigeria,” he added.
The former Anambra State governor’s comments come at a time of mounting economic hardship, rising inflation, unemployment, insecurity and increasing public frustration over governance in the country.
His remarks are already generating reactions across political circles, with supporters interpreting the statement as a renewed ideological push ahead of the 2027 political realignments.
Obi, who emerged as one of the most influential opposition figures after the 2023 presidential election, has consistently argued that Nigeria’s challenges stem more from leadership failure, corruption and poor resource management than from lack of wealth or potential.
Political observers say the “liberation” language used by Obi is likely to resonate strongly among young Nigerians and urban voters who have continued to express dissatisfaction with the country’s direction.
Analysts also believe the repeated reference to Nigeria’s independence-era symbolism may be an attempt to frame the current political struggle as a broader national movement rather than a conventional partisan campaign.
His statement is expected to further energise his support base while also intensifying debate among rival political camps over the future direction of opposition politics in Nigeria ahead of the next general election.
