Nigeria Must Work for Everyone, Says Obi After Talks with Makinde
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi met with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to discuss Nigeria's future and the need for cross-political collaboration.
- Obi reiterated his vision for a united, secure, and productive Nigeria where success is based on merit and hard work, not connections.
- The discussions are part of ongoing consultations aimed at fostering national unity and building a stronger nation ahead of future political alignments and elections.
Following a series of high-level consultations, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi met with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, reinforcing his commitment to a vision of a Nigeria that "must work for everyone." The closed-door meeting in Ibadan, lasting nearly two hours, focused on critical national issues and the imperative for collaboration across political divides. This engagement underscores Obi's continued efforts to build bridges and foster dialogue among key stakeholders, signaling a strategic approach to national development beyond partisan politics.
We have come to consult and to continue discussions with His Excellency, the Governor, on issues that concern the future of our country. My dear brother, the Governor, and I shared a common belief that Nigeria must work for everyone, and that is the focus of our engagement.
Obi articulated his core belief in a Nigeria characterized by unity, security, and progress, where every citizen has an equal opportunity to succeed based on merit. He emphasized a shift away from a system reliant on personal connections towards one that rewards hard work and talent. This vision resonates with many Nigerians who aspire to a nation where fairness and equal opportunity are paramount, moving beyond the current consumption-driven economy towards a production-focused model that generates employment.
What we are doing is not about politics for its own sake; it is about Nigeria and how we can build a better nation for all our people. We are looking at a Nigeria that is united, secure and progressive, where every citizen has a fair chance to succeed based on merit and hard work, not connections.
This meeting with Governor Makinde is part of a broader series of consultations Obi has been undertaking, including recent engagements with former President Goodluck Jonathan. These discussions are not merely political maneuvers but are centered on the fundamental goal of building a stronger, more inclusive nation. The emphasis on collaboration and shared belief in Nigeria's potential highlights a concerted effort to lay the groundwork for future political realignments and electoral contests, driven by a desire to see the country thrive on a global stage.
In Nigeria, where a chance of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody.
Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.