We Owe Our Children Better Nigeria Built On Security, Fairness— Peter Obi Tells Fathers

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerian fathers to work towards building a more secure, fair and prosperous nation for future generations.

In a Father’s Day message titled “A Time for Reflection,” Obi lamented the decline in national unity, security and economic prosperity, saying Nigeria of today is significantly different from the country he grew up in.

Reflecting on his early years, the former Anambra State governor recalled a period when Nigerians related freely across ethnic and religious lines and enjoyed greater security and economic opportunities.

“I grew up in a Nigeria that was more united and peaceful. In my primary, secondary school and university days, students related freely without divisions of religion, ethnicity, or region. We simply saw ourselves as Nigerians,” he said.

Obi also reminisced about a time when business relationships were built on trust and competence rather than ethnic or religious affiliations and when the Nigerian passport commanded greater respect internationally.

“I also lived in Nigeria where the naira commanded respect, and Nigerians enjoyed dignity abroad, with easier global mobility and much respect for our passports,” he stated.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate noted that Nigerians once travelled across the country without fear, adding that the nation’s security agencies were respected globally for their peacekeeping roles.

“I lived in Nigeria where I travelled across the country—from Onitsha to Lagos, Maiduguri and Calabar—without fear. Roads connected people, and life was more secure,” he said.

According to him, the country also enjoyed stronger public institutions, greater confidence in elections, better healthcare services and more reliable infrastructure than currently obtainable.

Expressing concern over the present state of affairs, Obi said insecurity had worsened, national cohesion had diminished and opportunities for young Nigerians had become increasingly limited.

“Today, as a father reflecting on Nigeria, I am pained that much of this has changed. Insecurity has grown, national unity has weakened, and many citizens no longer feel safe. Opportunities have also diminished for the younger generation compared to what we once had,” he lamented.

He further expressed concern about what he described as Nigeria’s declining influence on the global stage, citing the country’s absence from the recently concluded G7 meeting, where other African nations such as Egypt and Kenya were invited.

“It reflects a decline in standing we cannot ignore,” Obi stated.

Calling on fathers and citizens not to remain passive, the former presidential candidate urged Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), voting responsibly and safeguarding the sanctity of the electoral process.

“As fathers, we must not only lament. We must not bequeath this reality to our children. We owe them a better Nigeria built on security, opportunity, fairness, and national pride,” he said.

He added: “Change will not come from complaints alone but from citizens who choose and defend accountable leadership.”

Obi expressed optimism that with collective responsibility, unity and determination, Nigerians can build a better nation and secure a brighter future for the next generation.