Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), has advised President Bola Tinubu to go return home to rest, saying he lacked the energy to govern
Obi made the call on Friday during the commissioning of the NDC State Secretariat and campaign office in Yenagoa, stressing that Nigeria needs a president and capacity to address the nation’s daunting challenges.
He insisted that Nigeria can no longer afford a leadership that lacked the energy required for effective governance and that Tinubu should abandon his re-election ambition.
The former Anambra State governor criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government over poverty, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, poor healthcare and inadequate electricity supply in the country.
He described the prevailing socio-economic situation as troubling, saying millions of Nigerians were struggling to meet their basic needs while access to essential services such as healthcare, education and employment remain major challenges.
‘Today, we have a country that produces the highest number of poor people in the world. Today, we have a country where our people are hungry. Nigerians don’t know where the next meal will come from,’ he said.
Obi expressed worry that some Nigerians had resorted to seeking spiritual intervention instead of medical treatment because of inadequate healthcare facilities, adding that the absence of quality schools and employment opportunities had further worsened the situation.
He assured Nigerians that the NDC is offering an alternative political direction anchored on national unity, security, production, accountability and economic opportunities.
‘We are telling you that NDC is coming to build a new Nigeria that is possible. We want to move Nigeria from consumption to production. We will start by uniting the country,’ he said.
He pledged that an NDC administration would tackle insecurity, strengthen public institutions and ensure that Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or geographical backgrounds, feel a sense of belonging.
Condemned the persistent cases of kidnapping and attacks on communities being witnessed across the nation, he promised a more decisive security response if elected.
Obi also promised to make public education accessible, saying his administration would work with state governments to provide classrooms and ensure free basic education at the primary and secondary levels.
On power supply, he pledged that an NDC government would produce, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity compared to about 4,000 megawatts currently being generated.
He further promised to support industries and small businesses, create employment opportunities for young Nigerians and proposed the development of seaports across the South-South region.
According to him, the proposed ports would serve areas including Warri, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa and Calabar, pledging improved road infrastructure to connect the states and stimulate economic activities.
Obi also took a swipe at the Federal Government over the country’s borrowing, challenging Tinubu to explain how the funds obtained through loans have been utilised.
He raised questions over President Tinubu’s reluctance to visit Bayelsa State for political campaign in spite of the state’s contributions to the country’s oil revenues.
Obi said it was unfair for a president to benefit from the resources generated from the Niger Delta without adequately engaging with the people and addressing their development concerns.
He also criticised Tinubu’s foreign travels, promising that, if elected, his own international engagements would be strictly in Nigeria’s interest and that Nigerians would be kept informed of his whereabouts.
Making a direct appeal for a change of leadership, Obi said: ‘The man is tired. He needs to go home. Tinubu must go and rest. We want him to go and rest.’
He added that Nigeria needs a government that is both accessible and accountable instead of one that is allegedly run around family interests.
Earlier, Henry Seriake Dickson, founder of the NDC and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the Senate, urged Bayelsans to give Obi and all the party’s candidates in the state overwhelming electoral support.
The former governor of Bayelsa State accused the APC of failing to deliver on its promises to the people and criticised the ruling party for what he described as the poor political treatment of some individuals who had served in government.
He called on party members and supporters to mobilise across communities in Bayelsa State to secure support for the NDC candidates.
Dickson also cautioned supporters against intimidation and electoral violence, urging them to remain peaceful but resolute in defending their voting rights.
He said elections should be won through votes rather than the deployment of security personnel to intimidate voters.
‘We don’t do politics with violence. No weapon, no bullet. Overwhelm them with the sheer force in your community. Vote and you declare and you follow up,’ he told supporters.
Dickson said he had worked with Obi for about 25 years, describing their political relationship as one built on longstanding cooperation.
He urged the people to listen to Obi and support the party’s campaign, promising to join the mobilisation efforts across communities in the state.