Peter Obi, 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, says he is not concerned about reports of Goodluck Jonathan joining the 2027 presidential race.
Obi spoke to journalists on Tuesday after his screening at the headquarters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abuja.
Reacting to claims that Jonathan’s possible entry into the race could affect his chances, the former Anambra governor said democracy allows people to freely seek public office.
“I’m not aware of that, but democracy is about people offering themselves for service and being voted for,” he said.
“I’m not in any way going around looking for who and who is contesting.”
Obi said his focus remains on rebuilding Nigeria and addressing the country’s major challenges.
“I’m concentrating on how to build a better Nigeria,” he said.
The former governor said national unity must be prioritised if the country is to move forward.
“By first uniting the country, because it’s not a united country,” he said while outlining his vision for governance.
“We have to govern the country by the constitution of Nigeria, which stipulates federal character where you have to make sure it is inclusive.”
Obi also stressed the need to improve security across the country.
“We want to see where mothers can no longer fear when their children go to school,” he said.
“And when we can travel all over Nigeria without fear.”
He further lamented the worsening economic hardship in the country, saying many Nigerians struggle daily to survive.
“So many Nigerians today go to bed not knowing where the next meal will come from tomorrow,” he said.
“That must change.”
Obi also promised to tackle corruption and ensure public resources are not converted into private wealth.
“We must fight corruption to a standstill and make it work for everybody,” he said.
According to him, leadership must become more accountable and responsive to citizens.
“If there’s killing, I have to tell Nigerians what we are doing to mitigate that,” he said.
“Today, you wake up every day in Nigeria and all you hear is killing, while politicians are preoccupied with the next election. That must stop.”
