Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged political leaders to focus on addressing Nigeria’s pressing security and economic problems rather than prioritising political activities.
Obi made the appeal on Tuesday in a statement posted on his official X account shortly after completing his nomination form for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the former Anambra State governor, filling out the nomination form prompted him to reflect on the country’s leadership, particularly after encountering a question asking whether a candidate had ever been declared mentally unfit or adjudged a lunatic.
“Can we, as the political leaders of today’s Nigeria, truly say we are exhibiting the characteristics of a sound mind?” he asked.
Obi argued that the country is battling severe insecurity, widespread hunger and the alleged misuse of public funds, insisting that these issues should be treated as urgent national priorities.
“When Nigerians, including children and security personnel, are being abducted into the bushes, citizens cannot travel safely on our highways, several million Nigerians are uncertain where their next meal will come from, and several billions are being siphoned frivolously through non-existent agencies and projects, should politics really be our primary preoccupation?” Obi said.
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He maintained that responsible leadership would place national survival above political interests.
According to him, “A sound-minded leadership would have declared these existential challenges a national emergency and immediately mobilised all relevant institutions, security agencies, experts, community leaders, and other critical stakeholders to confront them with urgency and resolve.”
Obi further stated that safeguarding the country’s security, stability and future should come before electoral considerations, stressing that the nation currently needs “decisive action, not political calculation or the pursuit of partisan advantage.”
The former Labour Party presidential candidate also called on INEC to make public the academic qualifications and other credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective positions.
He said another question in the nomination form, which asks whether an aspirant had ever submitted a forged certificate to the electoral commission, underscored the need for greater transparency.
“Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and to strengthen public confidence in our electoral process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office?” he asked.
Obi maintained that “Transparency strengthens democracy and builds public trust,” adding that Nigeria’s challenges required “leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, compassion, and commitment to service.”
His comments come as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and prospective candidates increasingly unveiling their positions on governance, electoral reforms and the qualities required of public office holders.