Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on Nigeria’s political leaders to prioritise addressing the country’s worsening security and economic challenges instead of focusing on political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election.
Obi made the appeal after completing his nomination inquiry form at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Abuja, saying the exercise prompted him to reflect on the kind of leadership Nigeria urgently needs.
In a statement issued by the spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Idris Zekeri Jnr., the former Anambra State governor said the nation’s current challenges require leaders to place the country’s survival above partisan interests and the quest for political power.
Sharing his thoughts in a post on X, Obi posed what he described as a fundamental question to Nigeria’s political class: “What truly should be our priority now as leaders of a nation?”
According to him, the question has become increasingly important given the country’s prevailing security concerns, economic hardship and the growing expectations of Nigerians.
Obi disclosed that while filling out the INEC nomination form, one question particularly caught his attention. The form asks whether an aspirant has ever been adjudged a lunatic or declared to be of unsound mind.
He said the question led him to reflect on whether Nigeria’s political leaders are demonstrating the sound judgment and sense of responsibility required to confront the country’s numerous challenges.
The former governor argued that at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with insecurity, rising living costs and economic uncertainty, national leaders should be focused on finding practical and lasting solutions rather than engaging in premature political campaigns.
He maintained that leaders committed to the national interest would bring together stakeholders across political parties and key sectors to collectively tackle what he described as the country’s existential challenges.
Obi stressed that protecting Nigeria’s future must take precedence over the pursuit of political advantage, urging the country’s leadership to place national development and the welfare of citizens at the centre of governance.
