The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Mr Peter Obi, has promised emergency measures to tackle insecurity, corruption, hunger and poverty if he is elected.
Obi made the promise on Thursday at an interactive town hall meeting in Abakaliki. A large crowd of supporters from across party lines attended.
The former Anambra State governor said Nigeria needed purposeful leadership to achieve sustainable development. He added that he had the character, experience and capacity to lead the country.
He said Nigeria had vast arable land and other resources that could transform its economy if properly harnessed.
According to him, the country must move from consumption to production, particularly through agriculture and other productive sectors.
Speaking on the Federal Government’s borrowing, Obi said taking loans was not inherently wrong. He said it became a problem when the funds were spent on consumption instead of productive investments.
“It becomes wrong when the government borrows to buy a yacht or a presidential plane for consumption purposes,” he said.
He pledged that his administration would ensure transparency in public borrowing. He insisted that Nigerians must know why loans were obtained and how the funds would be used.
On security, the presidential candidate promised to deploy modern technology and other effective measures to tackle insecurity. He said this would guarantee the safety of citizens across the country, wherever they live.
Obi also vowed that anyone found guilty of corruption, including the president, would be prosecuted and jailed in accordance with the law.
He said his vision was to build a Nigeria where citizens could achieve their aspirations through merit, not personal connections.
“My dream is to see a Nigeria where the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” he added.
Obi expressed excitement over the turnout at the meeting. He described himself as the most credible of the three leading presidential candidates.
He named the three as President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and himself.
He urged Nigerians to take an active part in the forthcoming election and to protect their votes.
“You should vote for me because I am the most credible candidate among the leading candidates for the presidency,” he said.
Obi expressed optimism that Nigeria could achieve meaningful transformation under credible leadership. He pledged to provide such leadership if elected.
