2027: Obi vows to cut governance costs, tackle corruption
Presidential candidate Peter Obi has pledged to reduce the cost of governance and tackle corruption if elected in the 2027 presidential election, saying government resources should be redirected towards health, education and poverty reduction. Obi, a former governor from southeastern Nigeria, made the commitment in Abuja during an interview with AFP as political activities gather momentum ahead of the January election. He said cutting government waste and fighting corruption would create more resources to address the country’s cost-of-living crisis, while also stressing the need to unite and secure the country. Obi linked poverty to insecurity, arguing that lifting more Nigerians out of poverty would help reduce criminality. He called for greater investment in manufacturing and jobs, noting that manufacturing’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy has declined over the years. Nigeria continues to face economic hardship and security challenges involving jihadists, gangs, separatists, as well as conflicts between farmers and herders.
Obi also criticised corruption in the oil sector, saying it could be tackled in a way that would help reduce prices without returning to the petrol subsidy system scrapped by President Bola Tinubu. He said he agreed with Tinubu on the need to establish state police as a way of decentralising security and improving the response to crime. However, Obi expressed concern over the conduct of Nigerian elections, following an incident in which his convoy was blocked earlier in the day while travelling in Benue State. He said such incidents could undermine the possibility of free, fair and credible polls, stressing that voters are discouraged from participating when violence and intimidation dominate elections. The 2023 election saw Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso divide the opposition vote, while Tinubu emerged winner with 36.6 percent of the ballots. With voter turnout at about 27 percent, Obi said Nigerians should be allowed to decide which of the leading candidates is best suited to serve the country.
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