Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has issued a strong appeal to Nigerian politicians to stop fixating on political discussions, especially on the 2027 elections, and instead concentrate on tangible governance efforts that improve the lives of Nigerians. Speaking on Friday at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar after addressing dentistry students at the University of Calabar, Obi emphasized that the nation needs urgent investment in critical development areas like health, education, and poverty alleviation.
Obi argued that politicians must redirect their energy from daily political debates to prioritizing real, measurable improvements such as quality education, accessible healthcare, and empowering the impoverished. He highlighted the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyles of some political office holders and the severe lack of basic infrastructure like classrooms and school furniture for students. Obi warned that this disparity is unsustainable and called for dismantling the wasteful spending culture in favor of people-centered governance.
Further, Obi stressed that governance is fundamentally about service to the people and creating opportunities where "a child of nobody can be somebody." While declining to dwell on the 2027 elections or his political ambitions in the moment, he encouraged young Nigerians to take their education seriously, underlining it as their greatest asset in competing globally.
In his remarks, Obi made clear that the focus must shift from political positioning to addressing everyday challenges facing Nigerians, underscoring that real progress starts with improving the welfare of the citizenry.
This message comes amid ongoing national debates as Nigeria approaches a critical election cycle, urging a renewal of commitment to effective leadership and sustainable development rather than political maneuvering.
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