Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, says his
administration will work to drastically reduce corruption in Nigeria if elected
president in 2027.
Obi spoke shortly after emerging as the 2027 presidential
candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at the party’s national
convention held in Abuja on Saturday.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) had
earlier pledged to serve only a single four-year term if elected to power.
Obi said his administration would use the period to tackle
wastage in public spending through a deliberate reduction in the cost of
governance.
According to him, public resources currently “wasted on
luxuries” would be redirected to critical sectors of the economy.
“We will drastically reduce the cost of governance and
corruption. This waste must stop,” Obi said.
The former governor said corruption could only reduce
significantly if public officials and their families refrain from abusing
public resources.
He further pledged to uphold the rule of law, noting that
his administration would end government interference in the judiciary and
ensure that court judgements are based strictly on legal interpretation.
Obi said respect for the rule of law is critical to
attracting investment and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s institutions.
“We need the law to work because that is what will attract
investment for us. We need people to be sure that when they go to court, the
judgement will be an interpretation of the law,” he said.
Obi cited his personal experience in Anambra, recalling how
he successfully challenged electoral and tenure disputes as a sitting governor
through the courts without influencing judges or offering bribes.
He said his victories at various levels of the judiciary,
including the supreme court, reinforced his belief that the rule of law remains
the foundation of a functional democracy.
“When the rule of law prevails, the country will work,” he
added.
He further called for reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s
democracy, insisting that the government must truly reflect the will of the
people.
“It must be a government of the people, by the people and
for the people. The people must be the ones determining what is happening,” he
said.
Obi also accused the current administration of suppressing
opposition parties, alleging that opposition groups are being harassed and
denied access to public venues for political activities.
He claimed that the NDC encountered difficulties securing a
venue for its convention after being turned down at several locations.
“Opposition parties are being treated like criminals,
harassed and intimidated,” he alleged.
Obi claimed that some political parties had their activities
disrupted by security agencies, while organisers of his party’s convention were
instructed not to publicise the event until the day it was held.
He, however, promised that his administration would protect
political pluralism and create an environment where opposition parties can
operate freely.
“Our government will not suppress the opposition. We will
encourage them. We will make sure they exist because that is what democracy
should be,” Obi said.
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