2027: Tinubu Lacks Energy to Govern — Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s ability to govern Nigeria, arguing that the country needs a leader with the capacity and energy to address its challenges.

Obi made the remarks during an NDC town hall and stakeholders’ meeting at the Citi-Hub Centre, Mile 50, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, where he urged Nigerians to prioritise competence and qualifications when choosing their leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Anambra State governor also cautioned voters in the South-East against allowing ethnic considerations to influence their political decisions. He maintained that support for his presidential ambition should be based on his record and qualifications rather than his Igbo background.

Obi urged residents of Ebonyi State and other parts of the country to assess candidates based on their ability to deliver effective governance, warning against political divisions within the South-East.

He presented himself as a qualified contender for the presidency and called on voters to consider his credentials when deciding who should lead the country.

The NDC candidate also challenged Tinubu to explain his administration’s achievements since taking office, particularly how funds borrowed by the Federal Government over the past three years had been utilised.

Obi called on the President to visit Abakaliki and account for his administration’s performance, arguing that Nigerians deserved clear explanations about the use of public funds and the results of government policies.

He further questioned the amount of time Tinubu reportedly spends outside the country, saying the President should be able to visit different parts of Nigeria and explain what his government had achieved.

Obi subsequently declared that, in his view, Tinubu lacked the competence and energy required to govern the country and urged him to leave office and rest.

Looking ahead to the 2027 election, Obi outlined a series of priorities he said his administration would pursue if elected president. These include national unity, security, education, healthcare, the fight against corruption and increased food production.

On national unity, he pledged to address ethnic divisions and ensure that appointments into public positions reflected the federal character principle. He argued that government appointments should promote fairness and inclusion across the country.

On security, Obi promised to take decisive action against insecurity and provide security agencies with the resources needed to protect lives and property.

He also pledged a stronger response to kidnappings, particularly cases involving schoolchildren. He said his administration would ensure that security agencies actively pursued perpetrators and worked to protect children and other vulnerable people.

The presidential hopeful also promised to make the fight against corruption a priority, insisting that public funds should be used for the benefit of Nigerians. He said anyone found guilty of misappropriating public money would face prosecution, regardless of their position in government.

Obi further identified education as an area requiring urgent intervention. Citing the large number of Nigerian children who remain out of school, he pledged to introduce emergency measures aimed at reducing the figure and improving access to education.

On agriculture and food security, he said his administration would encourage farmers to return to their farms, increase domestic food production and expand agricultural exports. He argued that Nigeria’s available land resources could support greater output and help meet both local demand and international markets.

Healthcare was another priority outlined by the NDC candidate. He promised to work towards establishing functional healthcare facilities in every political ward across the country, arguing that Nigerians should have access to basic medical services regardless of where they live.

Obi maintained that Nigeria had the resources to address these challenges but needed leadership that would direct public funds towards essential services and development priorities. His proposals formed part of his pitch to voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.