The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has criticised Nigeria’s political ruling class for what he described as a lack of empathy and selflessness, warning that the nation’s challenges will persist unless leaders prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens over personal enrichment.
Abure made the remarks in a Christmas message released in Abuja and conveyed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh. In the statement, the Labour Party leader lamented what he called the concentration of national resources in the hands of a few individuals, arguing that such resources could have been channelled into critical infrastructure, quality education, functional healthcare and other essential social services.
He maintained that Nigeria’s continued struggles are a direct consequence of leadership failure and a departure from the values of sacrifice and service exemplified by the country’s founding fathers. According to him, the present generation of leaders must rediscover the spirit of selflessness demonstrated by figures such as Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Mallam Aminu Kano.
Abure stressed that national progress is only possible when leaders genuinely empathise with the masses and abandon what he described as the primitive accumulation of wealth by a privileged few. He warned that without such a shift in values, Nigeria would remain trapped in economic and social decline.
Drawing inspiration from the Christmas season, Abure referenced the life of Jesus Christ, noting that despite His divine nature, He chose humility and sacrifice for the benefit of humanity. He argued that these virtues are largely absent in contemporary Nigerian leadership, particularly among those in positions of power.
Against the backdrop of widespread public concern over corruption, the Labour Party chairman called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive and visible steps to combat graft. He urged the President to demonstrate political will by tackling corruption head-on, describing the fight against corruption as essential to the survival of any government.
Abure further appealed to Nigerians to pray for improved security across the country while acknowledging the efforts of the armed forces, the State Security Services and other paramilitary agencies in maintaining peace during the festive period. He added that the Federal Government must ensure that the military and security agencies are adequately motivated and equipped to sustain their operations nationwide.
