By Ali Elias
Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has lamented Nigeria’s habitual preference for poor leadership and policy choices, noting that the nation frequently identifies the correct course of action but deliberately pivots toward failure.
Obi made these remarks in Ibadan on Wednesday during the public unveiling of “The Manifesto of a Stubborn Goat,” a collection of essays authored by renowned philosopher, Professor Akinyemi Onigbinde.
Reflecting on the book’s themes, Obi drew a parallel between Onigbinde’s work and the observations of Professor Peter Lewis in his book “Growing Apart.” He noted that both scholars highlight a recurring Nigerian tragedy: the wide gulf between knowing the solution and implementing it.
“Reading the book reminded me of Professor Peter Lewis, who observes with deep concern that Nigeria often knows the right course of action but repeatedly chooses the wrong path,” Obi stated. “This theme resonates strongly throughout Professor Onigbinde’s work.”
The former Anambra State Governor praised the author’s “incisive ethical diagnosis” of the nation’s political and economic decay. He argued that the current state of the country demands a brand of patriotism rooted in critical truth rather than blind praise.
“True patriotism, in my opinion, is not about praising the country when things go wrong, but rather critically examining its failings and contributing to possible solutions,” Obi said, adding that Onigbinde’s essays provide a vital service by confronting Nigeria’s challenges with brutal honesty.
Central to the discussion was the book’s titular metaphor—the “Stubborn Goat.” Obi explained that the animal represents a moral stance of principled resistance. Unlike a sheep led quietly to slaughter, the “stubborn goat” symbolizes a citizen who refuses to be coerced into silence or complicity amidst the collapse of trust and the erosion of civic responsibility.
He urged Nigerians to embrace this spirit of persistence, calling for a collective effort to hold leadership and institutions accountable to stem the tide of insecurity and ethical bankruptcy currently facing the nation.