Presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said Nigeria’s past tragedies, including the 1966 coups, the civil war and episodes of mass violence, should be transformed into opportunities for national renewal, unity and development.
Obi made the remarks while responding to concerns from some Nigerians who questioned why he was asked during an Arise News programme to comment on the 1966 coups, which remain among the country’s most painful historical experiences.
According to him, as a presidential candidate, he is prepared to answer questions on any issue concerning Nigeria and would not shy away from difficult conversations about the country’s past.
“I have a commitment to serve the people, not to hide from them,” Obi said.
He argued that many of Nigeria’s tragedies could have been avoided if laws had been properly entrenched and fairly implemented, particularly those guaranteeing equal rights and freedoms to all citizens.
Obi attributed the recurrence of violence and instability largely to leadership failures, stressing that the country must study its past in order to identify and correct the failures that produced its present challenges.
He said Nigeria should learn from countries that successfully converted difficult historical experiences into foundations for national development.
Citing Japan, South Korea and China, Obi said their leaders used periods of national trauma and hardship to develop policies that eventually transformed their economies and societies.
He also pointed to Rwanda as an African example of a country attempting to use the lessons of a devastating past to promote national unity and development.
According to him, Nigeria can pursue a similar path by refusing to remain trapped in the conflicts and divisions of the past.
“For me, my responsibility as Nigerian President is to turn the pains and tragedies of the past into opportunities to make Nigeria united, stable, and prosperous,” he stated.
Obi called for leadership that would focus on issues that unite Nigerians rather than those that divide them, arguing that every part of the country possesses significant human and natural resources capable of contributing to national prosperity.
He further promised that, if elected, his administration would work toward building a Nigeria where no citizen would suffer discrimination because of ethnicity, religion or social background.
“Our past is important, but our past is not our destiny. Our future is what we do with our past,” Obi said.
He described the country’s painful history as a potential “resource for national transformation” and reiterated his belief that a new Nigeria is possible.
