Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has challenged Nigeria’s political leaders to place the country’s mounting security and economic challenges above partisan political calculations, saying the nation’s survival should take precedent over the race for power.
Obi made the remarks after completing his nomination inquiry form at the INEC office in Abuja, an exercise he said prompted him to reflect on the quality of leadership required to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Idris Zekeri Jnr., the former Anambra State governor said some of the questions contained in the INEC form underscored the need for greater accountability and transparency in the country’s electoral process.
Writing on X, Obi posed what he described as a fundamental question to Nigeria’s political class, asking: “What truly should be our priority now as leaders of a nation?”
He said the question had become imperative considering the country’s current situation and the expectations of Nigerians.
Obi explained that while completing the INEC form, one of the questions that drew his attention was whether an aspirant had ever been adjudged a lunatic or declared to be of unsound mind.
According to him, the question inspired a broader reflection on the state of leadership in the country and whether political leaders were demonstrating the sound judgment required to confront Nigeria’s multiple crises.
The former governor said at a time when insecurity, economic hardship and other national challenges continue to affect millions of Nigerians, leaders should be concentrating on finding lasting solutions rather than allowing political competition to dominate national discourse.
He argued that a leadership committed to the national interest would convene stakeholders across political parties and other critical sectors to collectively address what he described as existential threats confronting the country.
Obi maintained that safeguarding Nigeria’s future should rank above the pursuit of political advantage.
Sunday Aborisade
Follow us on:
