By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — The media office of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said the former Anambra State governor can lead efforts to address Nigeria’s challenges, citing his record in office.
In a statement on Monday, the spokesperson for the Peter Obi Media Office, Idris Zekeri, said Obi’s experience in Anambra State provided an indication of his approach to governance and public resources.
The statement was issued in response to recent comments by the former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, that no single individual, including Obi, could rescue Nigeria from its challenges.
According to Zekeri, while Baba-Ahmed’s position reflected concerns about the scale of the country’s problems, the media office believed that Obi’s record demonstrated his capacity to contribute to addressing them.
“Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed’s suggestion that not even Peter Obi can rescue Nigeria is understandable as an expression of frustration, but it is not a conclusion supported by the facts,” the statement said.
The media office said Nigeria faced significant challenges arising from what it described as years of mismanagement, corruption, waste and weak leadership, adding that Nigerians should assess political candidates based on their records and demonstrated capacity.
It cited Obi’s tenure as Anambra governor, claiming that he prioritised education, healthcare and human development, invested in infrastructure and exercised fiscal discipline during his time in office.
“Peter Obi does not approach Nigeria’s challenges as an experiment. His record in Anambra provides evidence of what he can do with limited resources when public office is treated as a responsibility rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment,” it said.
The statement acknowledged that no individual could single-handedly resolve all of Nigeria’s problems, but argued that the country could elect a leader capable of initiating reforms and strengthening institutions.
“The question is whether Nigeria can elect a leader with the character, competence, prudence, and courage to begin the rescue. We believe Peter Obi can—and will,” the statement said.
It added that Obi, if elected, would need to work with other Nigerians to strengthen institutions, tackle corruption, reduce waste, promote production and restore public confidence in government.
The media office further said Nigeria needed leadership focused on accountability and responsible management of public resources.
“Nigeria does not need a fake messiah. It needs leadership that understands that public money is public trust,” it said.
The statement concluded that Obi’s supporters believed his previous experience in public office provided a basis for his candidacy ahead of the 2027 general election.
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