Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged that he will not spend his vacation outside Nigeria if elected President.
Obi made the promise in his Independence Day address on Thursday, saying he would instead use the period to visit different states, interact with Nigerians and better understand their challenges.
He said his holidays during his four years as President would be spent in Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi, Edo and Ekiti states, among others.
The former Anambra State governor said the decision would allow him to continue seeing and knowing Nigeria while spending time with Nigerians, listening to them, understanding their challenges and celebrating their resilience.
“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,” Obi said. “My holidays will be spent in Zamfara State; Borno State; Kwara State; Ebonyi State; Edo State; Ekiti State and other Nigerian States.
“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.”
The pledge came as part of Obi’s broader message on the need for what he described as leadership centred on the welfare and productivity of Nigerians.
He said his proposed administration would make governance measurable and accountable, with a focus on the welfare and productivity of the people.
“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.
“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,” he added.
Obi said the country’s challenges required serious reflection and leadership that understood the conditions facing Nigerians.
He cited his recent visit to an internally displaced persons camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto State with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, where he said they held consultations with people on insecurity, out-of-school children, poverty, youth unemployment, drug abuse and other challenges.
According to Obi, thousands of women and children were living in difficult conditions after being displaced from their homes, with many children lacking access to education and mothers and children having limited access to basic healthcare.
He said such Nigerians should be living in their communities, going to school, farming their land, conducting businesses and contributing to the economy rather than living as displaced persons in their own country.
Obi said his proposed administration would seek to build a Nigeria that is “secure, united and productive”, where public resources are deployed strictly for the public good.
He also said leadership should be understood as a responsibility and public office as a sacred trust.
“The Nigeria we desire will not be built by prayers alone, nor by promises alone,” the NDC candidate stated. “It will be built by leadership that understands that public office is a sacred trust, by citizens who demand accountability, and by all of us who refuse to accept failure as our destiny. It is time to build the new and productive Nigeria that is possible.”
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