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Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, attributed Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics to persistent leadership failures across various sectors. He expressed his discontent on social media, stating that the continued recklessness in Nigeria’s leadership has led to a widespread perception that the country is a joke, even on the international stage.
Obi’s remarks came in response to Nigeria’s Olympic team failing to secure a single medal, which has sparked widespread criticism, including from President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The government had earlier expressed its disappointment and concern over the team’s performance, calling for reforms to improve sports administration in the country.
In a statement released on his official X page, Sports Minister John Enoh described the team’s performance as disappointing and emphasized the need for reforms to enhance leadership in the sports sector.
Reacting to this, Obi said, “Now that the Paris Olympics 2024 has officially ended and our dear Team Nigeria, despite the huge financial investment made into the project, is returning without a single medal, let me unreservedly register my displeasure with the performance of our team and their handlers.”
He criticized the “rascality and recklessness” that characterizes leadership in Nigeria, saying it has led to the country being perceived as a joke internationally. Obi pointed out that Jamaica, which spent less than 5% of what Nigeria invested in the Olympics, won six medals, while Nigeria returned empty-handed despite its significant financial investments and large contingent.
Obi further highlighted that at least nine African countries, including Kenya, Algeria, and South Africa, won gold at the Olympics, while Nigeria, with over 200 million people, failed to secure even a bronze medal.
He criticized the allocation of about N12 billion to this year’s Olympics, which he noted was almost double the amount budgeted for the entire Ministry of Science and Technology. He questioned the relationship between this huge investment and the dismal outcome, noting that Jamaica spent far less but won multiple medals.
Obi also lamented the case of Annette Echikunwoke, a former Nigerian hammer thrower who switched allegiance to the United States due to frustration with Nigerian leadership and went on to win a medal at the Olympics. He called for an investigation into the administrative misconduct that led to such outcomes and urged the government to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Obi concluded by calling for a nation built on discipline and commitment to duty, where competence and capacity reign, echoing his vision for a “New Nigeria.”
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