Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on Nigerians and leaders at all levels to embrace compassion, humility, and service, as he acknowledged the severe economic hardship facing the country in his Christmas message.
In a statement released on Wednesday to mark the Christmas celebration, Obi extended warm greetings to Nigerians, urging them to reflect on the core values of love, sacrifice, humility, and hope exemplified by the birth of Jesus Christ.
He noted that the 2025 Christmas season comes at a particularly difficult time for many Nigerians, with families struggling to meet basic needs and unable to celebrate the season as they once did. Describing the situation as deeply painful, Obi said he was troubled by the daily realities of citizens who find it increasingly difficult to put food on the table.
Despite the challenges, Obi emphasized that the message of Christmas remains one of hope, reminding Nigerians that light can still emerge even in the darkest circumstances, and that renewal is always possible.
Addressing citizens who feel abandoned by those in authority, Obi assured them that they are seen and heard. He stressed that true leadership should not be measured by economic indicators such as skyscrapers or stock market growth, but by how a nation treats its most vulnerable citizens.
He pledged his continued commitment to a future Nigeria where dignity is a right rather than a privilege, where opportunities reach both rural and urban communities, and where no child goes to bed hungry in a country endowed with abundant resources.
Obi further highlighted solidarity as the true spirit of Christmas, pointing to acts of kindness among neighbours and communities who share what little they have to ensure that no one is left behind.
Calling for national renewal, he urged Nigerians to recommit themselves to building a country anchored on service-driven leadership, prudent management of public resources, and universal access to quality education, healthcare, and a dignified life. He emphasized the need for leadership focused on lifting citizens out of poverty.
Obi concluded by wishing Nigerians a joyful Christmas and a New Year filled with hope, good health, and renewed determination to build a better Nigeria.
