Former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to tackle corruption and drastically reduce the cost of governance if elected president.
Speaking shortly after securing the party’s presidential ticket at the NDC national convention in Abuja, Obi said Nigeria could no longer afford the level of waste and extravagant spending in government.
According to him, resources currently being spent on luxury and non-essential government expenses should be redirected towards sectors that directly improve the lives of Nigerians.
Obi insisted that reducing corruption goes beyond making promises, stressing that public officials and their families must stop treating government resources as personal property.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said his administration would focus on accountability, prudent management of public funds, and ensuring that every kobo spent delivers value to citizens.
He also pledged to strengthen the rule of law, arguing that Nigeria cannot attract meaningful investment or build strong institutions without an independent judiciary.
According to Obi, Nigerians must be confident that court decisions are based solely on the law and not influenced by political pressure or financial inducement.
Reflecting on his time as governor of Anambra State, Obi said he successfully challenged electoral and tenure disputes in court without attempting to influence judges, adding that the experience strengthened his belief in the justice system.
The former governor further promised to protect democratic values by allowing opposition parties to operate freely without intimidation or harassment.
Obi accused the current administration of creating a difficult environment for opposition parties, alleging that political groups often face obstacles when organising activities and events.
He maintained that a healthy democracy requires strong opposition voices and promised that his government would encourage political pluralism rather than suppress it.
The presidential hopeful also reiterated his commitment to building a government that truly reflects the will of the people, insisting that leadership should be accountable to citizens at all times.
