Obi Says A True President Must Be Ready To Sacrifice Everything

Peter Obi has declared that anyone seeking to lead Nigeria must be willing to make real sacrifices — even with their own life — if the lives of citizens are at risk.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the former Labour Party presidential candidate criticized what he described as the current administration’s lack of empathy and misplaced priorities.

Obi argued that leadership, especially in a country facing widespread poverty and insecurity, should be rooted in compassion and selflessness. He said that the president should never be seen enjoying luxuries while citizens suffer or die, insisting that leaders must share in the burdens of the people they serve.

He used his own experience as governor of Anambra State to contrast with what he sees in the Tinubu administration today. According to Obi, he rejected extravagance while in office and focused instead on service delivery. He recalled driving a Peugeot 406 for years and refusing to use bulletproof vehicles, saying it was more important to do the right thing than to live in fear of being attacked.

Obi sharply condemned President Bola Tinubu’s handling of tragic events, including the deadly stampede at a Christmas party in Ibadan in December 2024. He accused the president of ignoring the grief of mourning families by proceeding with a vacation in Lagos, instead of showing leadership and compassion.

He also questioned Tinubu’s visit to Benue State following attacks by suspected herdsmen. Obi claimed the president failed to go to Yelwata, one of the worst-hit communities, despite the scale of the killings. Tinubu’s team had reportedly blamed poor road conditions and flooding for the omission, but Obi insisted that such excuses only show a lack of urgency and care.

On the controversial ₦150 billion jet proposal, Obi said it makes no sense to spend that kind of money on a presidential aircraft when most primary healthcare centres across Nigeria are in poor condition. He argued that fixing basic services should come before luxury spending.

Throughout the interview, Obi maintained that leadership is not about comfort but sacrifice, and that any president who truly cares for the country must be willing to suffer alongside the people. He called for a new kind of leadership that puts empathy and service before everything else.