(DDM) – Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has shared a troubling account of a young nurse that highlights systemic failures in Nigeria’s healthcare sector and governance.
DDM gathered that Obi recounted the events during his travels across multiple states, reflecting on the experiences shared by the nurse aboard a commercial flight.
Obi wrote that Sunday, January 4, 2026, involved extensive travel, beginning with an event in Ughelli, Delta State, followed by a drive from Onitsha to the city.
He explained that his journey continued through Imo State before concluding in Lagos, including a visit to Mgbidi for another scheduled engagement.
On the Air Peace flight, Obi said he sat in seat 5A beside a young woman, Chidera Ugwokeba, approximately 24 years old, whose parents are from the South East but who was born and raised in the United States.
The nurse had recently graduated from nursing school and reportedly shared her frustrations with Nigeria’s healthcare system during their conversation.
Obi recalled that her first question was piercing: why basic services fail in Nigeria, despite the country having resources.
She described an incident involving her sister at a government hospital, where urgent care was denied because payment had not been made, even though her sister’s hand was bleeding.
Other patients in worse condition were reportedly left unattended, highlighting a systemic prioritization of payment over medical necessity, the nurse told Obi.
She expressed disbelief, noting that in every hospital she had visited during her training, treatment comes first and payment later.
Obi quoted her as linking these failures to preventable tragedies, referencing the case of Boxer Joshua, where no ambulance was available to provide urgent care.
The former governor responded by framing the issue as one of governance rather than poverty, emphasizing that Nigeria is mismanaged despite its resources.
He cited public spending, noting ₦39 billion was spent refurbishing the National Conference Centre in Abuja and ₦21 billion on rebuilding the Vice President’s residence, which combined could have funded around 400 new ambulances.
Obi also highlighted the ₦300 billion ($200 million) expenditure on a presidential jet, stating the same funds could have established over 4,000 primary healthcare centers.
He argued that such spending priorities exemplify the country’s misallocation of resources and neglect of critical public services.
Obi concluded by stressing the urgent need for accountability, proper governance, and restructuring of national spending to ensure that basic health services are accessible to all citizens.
The account, according to observers, illustrates not only the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system but also the broader implications of governance decisions on everyday lives.
