By Ade Oyeyemi
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has pledged to spend his holidays within Nigeria if elected President in the 2027 general election.
Obi made the commitment in his Independence Day address on Thursday, saying he would use his vacation periods to visit different parts of the country and engage directly with citizens.
The former Anambra State governor said his proposed four-year tenure would include holidays in Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti and other states.
“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.
He added, “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 proposed approach was part of his commitment to making governance measurable and accountable, with emphasis on the welfare and productivity of citizens.
He promised that Nigerians would begin to see what he described as tangible results of effective leadership within the first year of his administration if elected.
Obi promises to tackle insecurity
The NDC candidate also pledged to make the fight against insecurity a priority, saying his administration would work towards creating conditions for farmers to return to their farms and children to resume schooling.
“We will confront insecurity decisively so that our farmers can return to their farms, our children can return to school, businesses can operate freely, and families can live without fear,” he said.
Obi added that Nigerians displaced by violence should be able to return to their communities safely and with dignity.
“No Nigerian should be forced to live in an IDP camp because his or her government has failed to provide security,” he stated.
Speaking on the significance of Independence Day, Obi said the anniversary should provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s progress and challenges.
He criticised the APC-led Federal Government, arguing that the country continued to face problems including poverty, insecurity, unemployment and a large number of out-of-school children despite promises made during the 2023 election.
According to Obi, Nigeria’s major challenge was not a shortage of resources but the failure of successive governments to translate those resources into human development, productivity, security and improved living standards.
The former governor also recalled his recent visit to Sokoto State with his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, where they discussed issues including insecurity, poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and out-of-school children.
He said their visit to an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Ramin Kura, Sokoto metropolis, brought them face-to-face with the difficulties confronting displaced women and children.
Obi said the situation was a reflection of the broader challenges caused by insecurity in different parts of the country.
The former Anambra governor had previously criticised Nigerian leaders for spending holidays abroad, arguing that presidential vacations should provide opportunities for direct engagement with citizens across the country.
He said that if elected, he would visit states facing security and developmental challenges, including Zamfara and Borno, while continuing to travel abroad when official duties required it.
Obi said his proposed administration would focus on building what he described as a secure, united and productive Nigeria, with public resources directed towards the welfare of citizens.
