Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, says he can improve Nigeria’s fortunes if elected president in 2027.
Obi spoke in an interview previewed by Arise Television on Monday, days after his former running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, said none of the politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election, including Obi, could improve the country.
Obi said his administration would prioritise good governance, reduce the cost of running government and tackle corruption and waste.
“I passed through Anambra State, and I improved the state in critical areas of development. And I can do the same thing in Nigeria,” he said.
The former governor said his first priority would be to restore “civility and order” to governance while cutting what he described as irresponsible government expenditure.
“I am sure that if given the opportunity, first I will bring civility and order in governance, and I will be able to cut costs of governance, which is irresponsible today. I will be able to do quite a number of things that will bring honour and respect to the country,” Obi said.
He also pledged to fight corruption, reduce waste, strengthen law and order and ensure credible elections.
“I will fight corruption; I will deal with issues of waste, law and order, and rigging won’t take place under my watch; political parties will function, and things will be done properly,” he said.
Obi identified national unity and security as other key priorities, alongside investments in critical sectors such as healthcare and education and measures to reduce poverty.
“I will focus on our priorities to unite the country, as it’s not united today, and secure the country. Secondly, secure the country. Thirdly, to ensure we prioritise critical areas of development, like health, education and pulling people out of poverty,” he added.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, made his comments during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye and published on Saturday.
He advised Tinubu to prepare to leave office after his current tenure but argued that the opposition figures seeking to replace him would not improve Nigeria.
“I will simply advise Uncle (Tinubu) to please prepare to hand over and move away, but not to the people contesting against him because none of them will improve Nigeria,” Baba-Ahmed said.
When asked whether he was referring to all opposition candidates, he said they had all been “in bed together at some point or another.”
Asked specifically if he was referring to Obi, Baba-Ahmed replied: “Including Peter Obi, I’m sorry to say.”