Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Church to take a more active role in rebuilding Nigeria’s moral foundations, warning that the nation’s increasing moral decay threatens its progress.
In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Wednesday, Obi expressed concern over what he described as growing valuelessness, rising rascality, and a weakening sense of responsibility across the country.
He said Nigeria’s problems endure not because citizens lack knowledge, but because societal values have collapsed. According to him, shortcuts are celebrated, dishonesty is rewarded, and integrity is increasingly disregarded.
Obi urged the Church—“the moral compass of society”—to intensify efforts toward value restoration through practical engagement. He encouraged faith leaders to adopt initiatives such as skills training, youth mentorship, community development programmes, and sustained interaction with young people. He said such actions can help convert faith into opportunities that strengthen communities and guide young people toward discipline, hard work, and the understanding that character, not corruption, drives genuine progress.
“Upon my return from overseas yesterday, I attended the Fourth Enugu Diocesan Synod, where I spoke on ‘The Role of the Church in Youth Empowerment and Community Development.’
“I emphasised that the Church needs to move from pulpit to people by taking a more practical role in rebuilding societal values, empowering our youths, and strengthening community structures,” he wrote.
Obi cautioned that Nigeria cannot move forward while moral decline persists, noting that ethical standards are eroding even among the highly educated, including professors. He stressed that for Nigeria to build a society where integrity is recognised and responsibility upheld, the Church and other credible religious institutions must steer efforts toward shaping moral behaviour and social character.
“By moving from the pulpit to the people, the Church can inspire a new generation and play a decisive role in Nigeria’s values, morals, and social renewal,” he added.
