The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, while commemorating the International Day of Living Together in Peace, has decried the ill situation bedevilling Nigeria, which has impeded her development.
On Thursday, Obi took to his X handle to express his dissatisfaction with Nigeria amid such celebration.
Obi wrote, “Today, I join the global community, especially my fellow Nigerians, in commemorating the International Day of Living Together in Peace, which is aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence, unity in diversity, and, for us, solidarity in our journey to building a more prosperous nation.
“While it is difficult to talk about peaceful living, in the face of the many challenges currently facing our nation, where our nation has been so sharply divided along ethnic lines, we must not be tired of advocating for peace, which remains a critical intangible asset for national development.
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“For a highly diverse nation like Nigeria, peaceful coexistence remains imperative. Sadly, a 2022 report by the Africa Polling Institute computed the Nigeria Social Cohesion Index (NSCI) as 39.6%, showing an obvious lack of cohesion and unity among Nigerians.
“A 2023 Global Peace Index report ranked Nigeria as the 144th most peaceful country out of 163 in the world and 37th out of 44 countries in Africa.
“The International Centre for Investigative Reporting shows that at least 2,336 people were killed in various violent attacks in Nigeria, within the first three months of 2024, meaning that approximately an average of 26 persons were killed daily between January 2024 and the end of March 2024.
“Sad indeed! These negative statistics have continued to cost us many golden opportunities for development and have continued to discourage foreign and local investors in the country as many innocent lives are wasted.
“This day, therefore, presents us with two choices: either we remain a nation united by hunger and insecurity, with a burden of national undevelopment, or we unite in our efforts to end insecurity, tribal, religious, and political division, and move our nation forward.
“We remain committed to peace, unity, and progress in the New Nigeria. It is possible.”
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