Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Monday rejected the pessimistic assessment of his former running mate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, about the capacity of the leading contenders to transform Nigeria.
The former Anambra state governor declared that his record in the state demonstrated that he could replicate his achievements at the national level.
Also reacting to Baba-Ahmed’s position, the Peter Obi Movement for Rescue (POMR) said the former vice presidential candidate’s assessment, though reflective of the depth of Nigeria’s problems, failed to take adequate account of Obi’s antecedents.
Besides, the NDC presidential candidate, speaking at the official opening of the presidential campaign office of the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde, stated that the Oyo governor remains eminently qualified to lead the country in 2027.
But Obi, who spoke separately in an exclusive interview with Arise News anchor, Ojy Okpe, said Nigeria’s enormous challenges could be overcome through purposeful leadership, institutional reforms and a deliberate focus on critical areas of national development.
Responding to Baba-Ahmed’s reported assertion that none of the major presidential contenders in the 2027 election could fundamentally improve Nigeria, Obi pointed to his experience in Anambra as evidence of his capacity to deliver measurable results.
“I passed in particular areas of development. And I can do the same thing for Nigeria,” Obi said.
He said his administration would pursue a governance agenda centred on national unity, security, justice, law and order, anti-corruption and investment in critical sectors capable of improving the welfare and productivity of Nigerians.
Obi also promised to restore Nigeria’s reputation and rebuild public confidence in government, stressing that leadership must be directed towards producing tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
“ (If elected) I’ll be able to do quite a number of things that will bring honour, respect to the country,” he maintained.
The former governor, who has consistently advocated a shift from what he describes as a consumption-driven economy to one based on production and investment in human capital, said corruption would remain a major target of his administration.
“You know I will fight corruption,” he declared, while reaffirming his commitment to justice and the rule of law.
He also linked credible elections to the survival and development of the country’s democracy, insisting that electoral malpractice would have no place under his leadership.
“I’m still with the issue of justice. I’m still with the issue of law and order. Of course, what we’re talking about in the election cannot take place under my watch,” Obi said.
He identified national unity as his first priority, arguing that the country is currently too divided and requires deliberate efforts to rebuild cohesion. “The country is not united today,” he said.
His second priority, according to him, would be securing the country from the terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity that have continued to threaten lives and livelihoods.
Obi listed the prioritisation of critical areas of development as his third major agenda, specifically identifying healthcare, education and poverty reduction as areas requiring urgent national attention.
He further listed “health, education, and pulling people out of poverty” alongside the fight against corruption as areas that would receive sustained attention under his proposed administration.
The former governor’s declaration came as political parties and opposition groups intensify consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with possible opposition alliances and the search for a formidable challenger to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) increasingly dominating political discourse.
Obi and Baba-Ahmed had jointly contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) before their political relationship subsequently became strained.
Support Group Backs Obi on Nigeria’s Transformation
Also reacting to Baba-Ahmed’s position, the Peter Obi Movement for Rescue (POMR) said the former vice presidential candidate’s assessment, though reflective of the depth of Nigeria’s problems, failed to take adequate account of Obi’s record in public office.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, POMR argued that the severity of Nigeria’s challenges made the election of a leader with proven capacity, character and competence even more urgent.
The group said years of what it described as mismanagement, corruption, waste and poor leadership had weakened institutions and increased hardship across the country. It nevertheless insisted that Nigerians must distinguish between political rhetoric and demonstrated capacity to govern.
According to POMR, Obi’s record as governor of Anambra provided evidence that he could prudently deploy limited public resources to achieve measurable results.
“Peter Obi does not approach Nigeria’s challenges as an experiment. His record in Anambra provides evidence of what he can do with limited resources when public office is treated as a responsibility rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment,” the group said.
POMR credited Obi with fiscal discipline and investments in education, healthcare, human development and infrastructure, arguing that his record remained available for public scrutiny.
It said the real question before Nigerians in 2027 was not whether one individual could “magically rescue” the country, but whether the electorate could choose a leader capable of beginning the process of national recovery.
“The question is whether Nigeria can elect a leader with the character, competence, prudence, and courage to begin the rescue. We believe Peter Obi can—and will,” POMR said.
The group added that Obi’s proposed rescue agenda was not premised on the emergence of a “messiah” who would govern alone, but on building strong institutions, assembling competent Nigerians, confronting corruption, reducing waste and investing in productive sectors.
“Peter Obi has demonstrated that understanding before. The task in 2027 is to allow him to demonstrate it at the national level,” it said.
POMR further maintained that Obi could lead Nigeria’s recovery “not because he claims to be a miracle worker, but because his record shows that he knows how to turn limited resources into measurable results.”
Chuks Okocha
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