The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has questioned whether Nigeria’s political leaders are demonstrating the qualities of sound-minded leadership amid the country’s worsening security and economic challenges.
In a statement shared on Tuesday, Obi said he was prompted to reflect on the state of the nation while completing his nomination form for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, Section E, Question 1 of the form, which asks whether an applicant has ever been “adjudged a lunatic or been declared a person of unsound mind,” led him to ponder the priorities of Nigeria’s political class.
“Can we, as the political leaders of today’s Nigeria, truly say we are exhibiting the characteristics of a sound mind?” Obi asked.
Security and hunger should take priority, Obi says
The former Anambra State governor argued that the country’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, kidnappings and widespread poverty, should be the immediate focus of leaders rather than political manoeuvring.
“When Nigerians, including children and security personnel, are being abducted into the bushes, citizens cannot travel safely on our highways, several million Nigerians are uncertain where their next meal will come from, and several billions are being siphoned frivolously through non-existent agencies and projects, should politics really be our primary preoccupation?” he said.
Obi maintained that a responsible leadership would have declared the situation a national emergency and mobilised all relevant stakeholders to tackle the crises.
“This is a time for decisive action, not political calculation or the pursuit of partisan advantage,” he added.
Obi calls for publication of candidates’ credentials
The NDC presidential candidate also referenced another question on the nomination form, which asks whether a candidate has ever submitted a forged certificate to INEC.
He argued that, in the interest of transparency and public confidence in the electoral process, the electoral commission should make the academic credentials submitted by all candidates seeking public office available to Nigerians.
“Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and to strengthen public confidence in our electoral process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office?” Obi queried.
He stressed that transparency remains essential to strengthening democracy and insisted that Nigeria’s challenges require leadership driven by “competence, character, capacity, compassion and commitment to service.”
Obi concluded his statement with his familiar slogan: “A New Nigeria is POssible.”
