A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, has described Peter Obi as a presidential hopeful focused on public service. Abdulkarim made the comment while discussing the 2027 presidential election.
He contrasted Obi’s ambition with those of President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. According to him, both politicians are seeking political power. The NDC chieftain spoke during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday.
Abdulkarim backs Obi for 2027
Abdulkarim said Obi was offering himself to Nigerians to help deliver the changes many young people desire.
“You look at these three candidates. What is different between the three of them? Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, they are looking for power. Mr. Peter Obi is looking for service.
“He wants to come and offer himself to change what we feel the young people, we cannot do for ourselves. That’s the bottom line. That’s what change is.”
The NDC chieftain said Obi’s supporters see his candidacy as an opportunity to pursue their aspirations for a better Nigeria. He also argued that many Nigerians understand the country’s problems and know possible solutions.
However, he said a lack of courage and political will often prevents the necessary changes from taking place.
NDC chieftain speaks on northern inequality
Abdulkarim also blamed some of Nigeria’s challenges on social and economic divisions in the North.
“Let me tell you where this is coming from: the North. In the North, there is an unofficial caste system just like India. The elite and the have-nots are there, those that are struggling are there, and then some even feel so entitled that Nigeria just belongs to them. You understand?”
He said the country must empower young people and promote greater unity.
“So what we are jumping at and what we really want to do is to liberate our people, liberate the young people, and make Nigeria to be one.”
Abdulkarim wants transparent president
The NDC chieftain also said he wanted the next president to be accessible and transparent. He said the president should communicate government policies directly to Nigerians.
“Let me tell you, if we have a president that is going to be fair to everybody, tell us the truth, and also at least appear on your channel like this one, no matter, irrespective of who he is as a president, to come in a studio like this, or you have media people to follow him, that he can update them every day on every reform that he is taking.”
When asked whether he considered Obi better than the other contenders, Abdulkarim replied, “By far!” He further said Obi’s supporters had become more politically aware after the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, the group was previously unprepared for the challenges involved in securing electoral victory. He said that experience had made Obi’s supporters more conscious of the political process.
“So now, you agree, you made an inference that the obedience and Peter Obi supporters, all your structure, were naive, because you never thought that you were going to be rigged. But this time around, your eyes are open.”
