2027: Nigeria’s survival depends on leadership change — Obi

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described the 2027 general elections as a battle for Nigeria’s survival, blaming corruption and leadership failures for the country’s slow pace of development.

Obi stated this during an interaction with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he discussed the challenges facing the country and the need for collective efforts to build a new Nigeria.

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The former Anambra State governor disclosed this in a Facebook post in which he expressed optimism about the commitment of Nigerians in the diaspora to the country’s progress.

He said the passion demonstrated by the Nigerians he met and their desire to contribute to national development were encouraging.

According to him, Nigeria remains one of the most blessed countries in the world but has failed to achieve its full potential because of corruption and persistent leadership failures.

“Nigeria remains one of the most blessed countries in the world and would have taken its place among the most developed countries if not for corruption and the leadership failure bedevilling it,” he said.

Obi maintained that the quality of leadership remained a critical determinant of a nation’s development, stressing that those entrusted with public office must demonstrate character, competence, capacity and commitment.

“No nation, as I have always maintained, can rise above the character, competence, capacity and commitment of those entrusted with its leadership,” he added.

He urged Nigerians to approach the forthcoming general elections with a sense of urgency, arguing that the country’s future required more than routine electoral participation.

The NDC presidential candidate said the elections should be viewed as an opportunity to rescue the country from the challenges undermining its development.

“That is why we must approach the coming general elections as a race for national survival rather than another routine exercise,” Obi stated.

He further called on Nigerians to take collective responsibility for the country’s future, insisting that building a new Nigeria required concerted efforts from citizens at home and in the diaspora.

“The task of building a New Nigeria remains our collective responsibility, and there is no better time to roll up our sleeves and get to work than now,” he said.

Obi warned that Nigeria was standing “on the brink of a precipice,” urging citizens not to shy away from the difficult task of rebuilding the nation.

He expressed confidence in the possibility of achieving a better Nigeria, declaring that the responsibility for rescuing the country rested with its citizens.