Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and prospective presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has promised not to make excuses for failure if elected president of Nigeria in 2027.
Obi spoke on Monday during the party’s aspirants’ summit dinner in Abuja.
The former Anambra governor said Nigeria can no longer afford leadership failure and excuses from public officials.
“We have a country. This country must work,” he said.
“People can no longer take us for granted.”
Obi compared Nigeria’s electricity situation with that of South Africa.
“I was in South Africa. They have over 40,000 megawatts of electricity and yet people are complaining they have no power,” he said.
“Here we have 4,000 and they’re not complaining. This is time for us to come out and complain.”
The former governor said Nigerians are tired of leaders who blame previous administrations after assuming office.
“We do not want the elite people again to give us excuse or remind us what they saw when they got in there,” he said.
“What I’m seeing, I can change. And that is what I want to do in office.”
Obi said he is not seeking office to justify failure.
“I’m not looking for it to give excuse,” he said.
“The time of excuse has passed.”
The former governor added that leadership positions should be left for people with competence and commitment.
“If you cannot work now, go home,” he said.
“It’s room for people who have the competence, the capacity, the compassion, commitment that Nigeria needs.”
Obi also urged party members and aspirants to make sacrifices for the country and the party.
