Dr Peter Obi
‘Religious, ethnic sentiments promoting incompetence, inefficiency in Nigeria,’ says Peter Obi
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Former governor of Anambra State and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 General Election, Dr Peter Obi, has said religion and ethnic sentiment remain the bane of Nigeria’s growth.
According to him, ‘we have leaders who gained access to power through ethnic and religious sentiments rather than competence and past records of success,’ as he further noted the situation is promoting incompetence and inefficiency in the country.
Obi spoke in Agulu, shortly after his meeting with the Envoy from British High Commission, led by Head of the Political Desk, Aneesah Islam, on Monday.
He warned that continual enthronement of people in leadership positions, on any basis other than competence, would spell doom for the country.
He said he supported zoning of some political offices to ensure fairness and equity, arguing that each zone had competent people capable of developing the nation.
He blamed the dwindling economic fortune of the nation on continued failure of leadership in the country.
“Insecurity and criminality have worsened under this administration. Nigeria is more divided today than it has ever been. Mediocrity is now celebrated above meritocracy.
“The standard of living is worsening every day, with soaring inflation and poverty rate. All these are happening because we have leaders who gained access to power through ethnic and religious sentiments rather than competence and past records of success,” Obi said.
Obi also frowned at what he described as ‘transactional politics’ in Nigeria, saying, the undesirable culture of vote buying and other electoral vices that play out during elections must be stamped out in future elections, if true democracy will find its place in the country.
