By BONIFACE AKARAH

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful, Mr. Peter Obi, has renewed his call for ethical leadership, civic responsibility and citizen engagement in Nigeria, following his attendance at the unveiling of The Manifesto of a Stubborn Goat, a new book by Professor Akinyemi Onigbinde, in Ibadan.

In a late Monday night post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on January 26, Obi reflected on the book presentation, which he attended after an earlier engagement with students at Dominican University. He described the work as a bold and timely intervention in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with governance, accountability and national direction.

“Earlier in the day, after engaging with students at Dominican University, I attended the unveiling of The Manifesto of a Stubborn Goat, written by Professor Akinyemi Onigbinde, in Ibadan,” Obi wrote.

Drawing parallels with earlier scholarly works on Nigeria’s development challenges, Obi said the book reminded him of Growing Apart by Professor Peter Lewis, which, according to him, highlights Nigeria’s recurring habit of identifying the right solutions but repeatedly choosing the wrong paths.

“Reading the book reminded me of Growing Apart by Professor Peter Lewis, who observes with deep concern that Nigeria often knows the right course of action but repeatedly chooses the wrong path — a theme that resonates strongly throughout Professor Onigbinde’s work,” he stated.

Obi praised the author for what he described as intellectual courage and moral clarity, noting that confronting national failures honestly is a truer expression of patriotism than public praise amid decline.

“What stands out in The Manifesto of a Stubborn Goat is the author’s courage to confront Nigeria’s challenges honestly,” Obi said, adding that, “true patriotism is not about praising the country when things go wrong, but critically examining its failings and contributing to possible solutions.”

The former Labour Party Presidential Candidate further noted that the book reinforces the responsibility of citizens to remain actively engaged in governance and hold leaders and institutions accountable. According to him, the essays interrogate issues ranging from insecurity and the collapse of public trust to the erosion of civic values and ethical leadership.

Obi explained that the metaphor of the “stubborn goat” symbolises principled resistance and moral courage, even in the face of overwhelming pressure.

“The stubborn goat — an animal that resists being quietly led to slaughter — serves as a moral centre, illustrating the importance of persistence, courage, and principled resistance,” according to him.

The former Anambra State governor concluded by describing Professor Onigbinde’s work as a necessary ethical diagnosis of Nigeria’s political, social and economic condition, urging citizens and leaders alike to reflect deeply on the issues raised.

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