As Nigeria marks 65 years of nationhood, the Convener of Hon. Eke Vanguard for Obi-Datti, Rev. Chukwudi Eke, has called on Nigerians to rise above political and ethnic divisions and embrace unity as the nation’s most urgent task for survival and progress.
Rev. Eke — a respected cleric, political commentator and public policy advocate — made the call during a high-level engagement with stakeholders and Obidient campaign leaders from ten states across the six geopolitical zones.
Reflecting on the country’s post-independence journey, the Harvard-trained scholar and President of the U.S.-based DAST Foundation Inc. said that, despite its struggles, Nigeria still has enormous potential to thrive if citizens work together.
“Nigeria is still young in historical terms. The United States will be 250 years in 2026, and it still faces challenges. Nigeria will endure and prosper — but only if we stand united,” he said.
Rev. Eke, who was an ardent supporter of Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential elections, urged members of the opposition and citizens alike to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the collective interest of peace and development.
“Once a president has been sworn in, the patriotic duty of citizens is to support that leadership toward stability and growth,” he declared. “It is not easy to govern a complex and diverse country like Nigeria, especially amid deep economic and social strains.”
He paid glowing tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers — Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa — describing them as visionaries whose ideals of unity, justice and tolerance must continue to guide the nation.
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Rev. Eke also drew attention to the global economic climate, noting that many of Nigeria’s challenges are part of wider global disruptions. Citing an August 2025 Pew Research Center report showing that 70 percent of people worldwide view economic hardship as a major threat, he said: “The global downturn has affected every nation, and Nigeria is no exception. Inflation, high production costs, weak currency and low investor confidence are linked to global trends.”
Despite the difficult realities, he commended what he termed “encouraging signs” in the Tinubu administration’s economic management — including the full repayment of IMF debt, GDP growth of 4.23 percent in Q2 2025, a drop in inflation to 20.12 percent, foreign reserves at $42 billion, and five consecutive quarters of trade surplus.
“These are not magic solutions,” he said, “but they show movement in the right direction.”
On national security, Rev. Eke urged the government to strengthen recruitment and training of security personnel, deploy modern surveillance technologies, and deepen community-based policing. He also challenged President Tinubu to “make history” by solving Nigeria’s chronic electricity problem once and for all.
“If he delivers stable and affordable power across the nation, he will achieve what no leader has and his name will be written on the sands of time,” he asserted.
Rev. Eke warned against unrealistic expectations, reminding Nigerians that decades of decline cannot be reversed in a single administration. “No leader can repair in four years what took sixty-five years to break. Let us be patient, realistic and hopeful,” he said.
Quoting the Dalai Lama, he added: “No matter what difficulties we face, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.”
At a time of rising tension and disillusionment, Rev. Eke’s message was one of hope and responsibility — a reminder that rebuilding Nigeria requires not just leaders, but a united people committed to the nation’s long-term renewal.
