Peter Obi has vowed to declare emergency on corruption and states that sobody will steal public funds under his watch.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to declare an emergency on corruption if elected president, insisting that public funds must be used exclusively for the benefit of Nigerians.
Obi made the pledge on Thursday while interacting with residents of Enugu State ahead of his presidential campaign, where he blamed corruption for the country’s economic difficulties, insecurity and widespread hardship.
The former Anambra State governor lamented that Nigerians were struggling with hunger, unemployment and insecurity while public resources continued to be misappropriated.
“Today, our country is suffering. Today, people are hungry. Today, our children do not have employment. Today, Nigeria is not secure,” he said.
Obi pledged to promote transparency and accountability in government, promising that Nigerians would know how public funds were spent, including money borrowed by his administration.
“As president of Nigeria, we will declare an emergency on corruption. People must stop stealing public money. Public money must be used for the public good,” he said.
“That is why I am making my commitment. We will be accountable; we will be open. If we borrow money, you will know what the money is being borrowed for.”
He also promised to prioritise national unity and security, saying his administration would take a direct approach to tackling insecurity across the country.
“As president of Nigeria, I will unite Nigeria. As president of Nigeria, I will secure Nigeria. We will deal with insecurity. If they go to the bush, I will be in the bush with them,” Obi declared.
The NDC presidential candidate also urged Nigerians to assess candidates based on competence and their proposed solutions to the country’s challenges rather than ethnic considerations.
He said he was seeking the presidency because he believed he was qualified for the position and challenged other presidential candidates to visit communities across the country to explain their plans to voters.
“Please, I am asking for your vote because I am the most qualified to be president of Nigeria,” he said.
Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu over his reported position that he would not be able to campaign across all 36 states ahead of the election.
He insisted that the president should engage Nigerians across the country and account for his administration’s performance.
“Your president said he will not be able to campaign all over Nigeria. Please, do not listen to him. He must come and campaign all over Nigeria. We must know our president,” Obi told the gathering.
The former Anambra governor further questioned the administration’s borrowing and demanded greater transparency regarding the use of public funds.
He called on Tinubu to explain his administration’s activities over the past three years, including the purpose and utilisation of funds borrowed by the government.
“Our president must come and account for the three years he has been in office,” Obi said.
His remarks centred on corruption, public accountability, national security and economic hardship, placing these issues at the forefront of his engagement with residents of Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
