Address Nigerians on governance failures, campaign promises, Obi tells Tinubu

Peter Obi, former Presidential Candidate and Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has asked President Bola Tinubu to directly address Nigerians and take responsibility for campaign promises, insisting that leadership requires accountability, not deflection.

Obi made the remarks on Monday night during an appearance on Arise TV in Abuja, where he criticised the current Administration’s approach to governance and public engagement.

“We want the president to talk to us. He made promises while campaigning, including on power supply. He shouldn’t now be asking for apologies from citizens when those promises have not been fulfilled,” Obi said.

Addressing Nigeria’s deepening ethnic and regional divisions, Obi argued that the problem stems from poor leadership rather than inherent societal differences.

According to him, politicians lacking competence, capacity, and compassion often weaponise ethnicity and religion as tools for political advantage.

“The divisions you see today are driven by people who use tribe and religion as a cover for incompetence. I have always told Nigerians: do not vote for me because I am from the South-East or because of my religion. Vote for competence and commitment to fixing Nigeria,” e said.

Outlining his vision for national unity, Obi emphasised the need to shift the country’s focus from consumption to production, insisting that economic transformation is key to bridging divides.

“We must move from sharing poverty to creating wealth,. When people are productive and see opportunities, the divisions will naturally reduce,” he said.

He added that revitalising the North would be central to his strategy, noting that restoring productivity and security in the region would have ripple effects across the country.

“I will start from the North because that is where the biggest challenges lie. When we rebuild productivity and ensure safety there, it will benefit the entire nation,” Obi stated.

The former Anambra State governor also decried the mismatch between education and opportunity in Nigeria, citing the growing trend of highly qualified graduates taking on low-skilled jobs.

“I met a young person with a first-class degree working as a server in a small restaurant. That should not happen in a country with so much potential,” he said.

Reiterating his long-standing message, Obi concluded that Nigeria’s future depends on building a merit-driven society where talent meets opportunity, regardless of background.

“We must create a system where anyone can succeed without knowing anyone,” he said.

Obi also urged President Tinubu to allow opposition parties to thrive, stressing that a healthy democracy depends on inclusiveness and political freedom.

“We want a system where the opposition can operate freely. That is what democracy demands. What Nigerians deserve are free and fair elections,” he added.