The National Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said politicians and poor leadership are responsible for Nigeria’s challenges.
Obi made the remarks on Sunday while speaking at the Koinonia Global of Apostle Joshua Selman.
The former Anambra State governor said there was nothing inherently wrong with Nigeria, arguing that the country’s major problem was the quality of its leadership.
“I believe that people like you are the ones keeping our country. The only thing I can ask all of you who are gathered here, because I know he’s praying for the country, is that you remember us, the politicians, in your prayers,” Obi said.
“We are the problem of the country. There’s nothing wrong with Nigeria. What is wrong in Nigeria is the leadership, the politicians God created in this country.”
Obi appealed to the congregation to pray for political leaders to develop the willingness to use public resources for the benefit of citizens.
“Let God touch our hearts to use public money for public good. Let God touch us to stop stealing. That is why people are suffering here,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s wealth, if properly invested, could significantly improve the lives of citizens and address many of the country’s challenges.
“If we use the wealth of this nation and invest it, it will go a long way. So remember us in your prayers,” he added.
Obi, who said he had travelled to several countries and observed systems that worked, maintained that leadership was responsible for the different outcomes recorded by nations.
“I’ve been to so many countries of the world. And I’ve seen things work in other nations. It is leadership,” he said.
Obi urged Nigerians not to divide their prayers along political lines, but to pray for all political leaders.