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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged not to spend his holidays outside Nigeria if elected president in 2027.
Obi made the promise in his Independence Day address on Thursday, saying he would use his holidays to visit different parts of the country, interact with Nigerians and gain a deeper understanding of their challenges.
The former Anambra State governor said he would spend his holidays in Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi, Edo and Ekiti states, among others, during his proposed four-year tenure.
“As I have always done, I will lead by example. In four years as President of this great nation, I will not spend my holidays outside Nigeria,” Obi said.
“My holidays will be spent in Zamfara State; Borno State; Kwara State; Ebonyi State; Edo State; Ekiti State and other Nigerian States.
“I want to continue to see Nigeria. I want to know Nigeria. I want to spend time with Nigerians, listen to them, understand their challenges and celebrate their resilience.”
Obi said the pledge formed part of his broader vision for leadership focused on the welfare and productivity of Nigerians.
He promised that his proposed administration would make governance measurable and accountable, with public resources deployed for the benefit of citizens.
“My message today is not one of despair. It is a message of hope, determination and responsibility. I dare to proclaim with full assurance that a new Nigeria is possible,” he said.
“As President of Nigeria, I will make governance measurable, accountable and centred on the welfare and productivity of our people. Within the first year, Nigerians will begin to see the tangible impact of purposeful and effective leadership.”
Obi also referred to his recent visit to an internally displaced persons’ camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto State with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, where he said they engaged with people affected by insecurity, poverty, unemployment and other challenges.
According to him, thousands of women and children displaced from their communities were living in difficult conditions, with many children unable to access education and families facing limited access to basic healthcare.
He said such Nigerians should be living in their communities, attending school, farming, running businesses and contributing to the economy rather than remaining displaced within their own country.
Obi said his proposed administration would seek to build a Nigeria that is “secure, united and productive”, while stressing that public office should be treated as a sacred trust.
“The Nigeria we desire will not be built by prayers alone, nor by promises alone,” the NDC candidate said. “It will be built by leadership that understands that public office is a sacred trust, by citizens who demand accountability, and by all of us who refuse to accept failure as our destiny.”
He said the objective was to build a new and productive Nigeria in which leadership remained accountable to the people.
