Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to make governance measurable, accountable and centred on the welfare and productivity of Nigerians if elected President.
Obi made the commitment in his Independence Day address on Thursday, in which he said his administration would prioritise insecurity, education, healthcare and productive enterprise.
He said Nigerians would begin to see the impact of what he described as “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.”
The former Anambra State governor said insecurity would be confronted decisively to enable farmers to return to their farms, children to return to school and businesses to operate freely.
“We will confront insecurity decisively so that our farmers can return to their farms, our children can return to school, businesses can operate freely, and families can live without fear,” he said.
“No Nigerian should be forced to live in an IDP camp because his or her government has failed to provide security. My administration will work to ensure that Nigerians displaced by insecurity can begin to return safely and with dignity to their communities.”
The NDC candidate also promised to shift Nigeria from what he described as a consumption-driven economy to a productive one focused on job creation, agriculture, manufacturing, human capital and expanded opportunities.
He said education, healthcare, security and productive enterprise would be treated as foundations of a functioning nation rather than luxuries.
Obi’s address also highlighted the conditions he said he witnessed during a recent two-day visit to Sokoto State with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
According to him, their visit to the internally displaced persons camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto metropolis exposed the difficult conditions facing thousands of 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 added.
Obi said the situation in Ramin Kura was representative of the hardship experienced in other parts of the country, while blaming political leaders for failing Nigerians and children.
“The political leaders have failed our country and, most importantly, we have failed our children. This must change,” he said.
According to the former governor, Nigeria’s challenges could not be attributed to a lack of resources, arguing that the country had instead failed to translate its resources into human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity.
He cited poverty, out-of-school children, insecurity, hunger, maternal and infant mortality, youth unemployment and underemployment, drug abuse and low life expectancy among the challenges confronting the country.
‘I Will Lead By Example’
Obi also pledged that, if elected, he would spend his holidays in different parts of Nigeria rather than outside the country.
“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,” the NDC candidate 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.”
He said his administration would seek to build a Nigeria that is “secure, united and productive,” governed with competence, accountability and justice.
Obi also called for citizens to demand accountability, saying the country could not be built through prayers and promises alone.
He stated, “The Nigeria we desire will not be built by prayers alone, nor by promises alone. 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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