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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has disclosed that he met with British government officials and Nigerians in the diaspora during a visit to London, where discussions focused on Nigeria’s development challenges and the need for improved leadership.
Obi said the engagements centred on addressing corruption, poor leadership and lack of accountability, which he identified as major obstacles to the country’s progress.
The former Anambra State governor disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Thursday, explaining that he arrived in London from Basel, Switzerland, at 7 am on Wednesday, October 21, before proceeding to meet with stakeholders in the United Kingdom.
He said the meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the country’s situation and explore the collective responsibility of Nigerians in building a nation where citizens could enjoy better living conditions and equal opportunities.
Obi meets diaspora stakeholders
According to Obi, he rounded off the day with a meeting organised by the COPDEM chief and the NDC Director of Diaspora Affairs, which brought together Nigerians in the diaspora and other stakeholders in London.
He said the gathering focused on the challenges confronting Nigeria and the need for citizens to work together towards achieving meaningful national development.
Obi stressed that rebuilding the country required a shared commitment to addressing the problems that had continued to affect governance and limit opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
He also underscored the importance of accountability in public office, arguing that leadership should be directed towards improving the welfare of citizens rather than serving the interests of a privileged few.
Healthcare, education, employment concerns
The NDC presidential candidate lamented that poor leadership and other national challenges had deprived millions of Nigerians of access to basic necessities, including quality healthcare, education and decent employment.
He said the country needed a system that would enable citizens to access essential services and pursue their ambitions without being disadvantaged by their social background or lack of influential connections.
According to him, national development should be measured by the extent to which ordinary Nigerians could access opportunities, improve their living conditions and contribute meaningfully to society.
Obi maintained that every Nigerian deserved to live in a country where individual potential could be realised through hard work and merit rather than personal connections.
“We must build a Nigeria where the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” he said.
Calls for a country that works for all
Obi added that Nigeria must become a country that works for everyone, rather than one that favours a small group of privileged citizens.
He said the country’s future depended on building a society where every life mattered, hard work was rewarded and citizens had equal opportunities to succeed, irrespective of their backgrounds.
His remarks came during engagements with British officials and Nigerians living in the United Kingdom, although his post did not provide further details about the officials he met or the specific issues discussed at each meeting.
Obi’s comments reinforced his call for improved governance, accountability and a development approach that places the welfare of citizens at the centre of public policy.
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