By Dennis Okechukwu
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to make governance measurable, accountable and focused on the welfare and productivity of Nigerians if elected president in 2027.
Obi made the pledge in his Independence Day address on Thursday, outlining insecurity, education, healthcare and productive enterprise as key priorities of his proposed administration.
The former Anambra State governor said Nigerians would begin to see what he described as the tangible impact of purposeful and effective leadership within the first year of his administration.
“My message today is not one of despair. It is a message of hope, determination and responsibility. I dare to proclaim with full assurance that a new Nigeria is possible,” Obi said.
“As President of Nigeria, I will make governance measurable, accountable and centred on the welfare and productivity of our people. Within the first year, Nigerians will begin to see the tangible impact of purposeful and effective leadership.”
On security, Obi said his administration would confront insecurity to enable farmers to return to their farms, children to return to school and businesses to operate without fear.
He also promised that Nigerians displaced by insecurity would be supported to return safely and with dignity to their communities.
Shift From Consumption To Production
Obi said his proposed government would seek to move Nigeria from what he described as a consumption-driven economy to a productive economy focused on job creation, agriculture, manufacturing, human capital development and expanded opportunities.
He said education, healthcare, security and productive enterprise would be treated as fundamental pillars of national development.
The NDC candidate also referred to his recent two-day visit to Sokoto State with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying their visit to the internally displaced persons camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto metropolis exposed the difficult conditions faced by displaced women and children.
“These are Nigerians who should be living in their communities, going to school, farming their land, conducting their businesses and contributing to the economy. Instead, they live as displaced persons in their own country,” he said.
Obi said the situation at Ramin Kura reflected broader challenges across the country, including poverty, insecurity, hunger, unemployment, underemployment, the number of out-of-school children, maternal and infant mortality, drug abuse and low life expectancy.
He argued that Nigeria’s challenges were not primarily due to a lack of resources but to the failure to translate available resources into human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity.
‘I Will Lead By Example’
Obi also said he would spend his holidays within Nigeria if elected president, rather than travelling abroad.
“As I have always done, I will lead by example. In four years as President of this great nation, I will not spend my holidays outside Nigeria,” he said.
He listed Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi and Ekiti states among places where he intends to spend time, saying he wants to better understand the experiences and challenges of Nigerians across the country.
“I want to continue to see Nigeria. I want to know Nigeria. I want to spend time with Nigerians, listen to them, understand their challenges and celebrate their resilience,” he added.
Obi said his administration would seek to build a Nigeria that is secure, united and productive, with emphasis on competence, accountability and justice.
He also called on citizens to demand accountability from their leaders, saying the country’s development could not be achieved through prayers and promises alone.
According to him, public office should be regarded as a sacred trust and citizens should reject the acceptance of failure as Nigeria’s destiny.Two headline options