Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on Nigerian politicians to abandon constant political discussions and instead prioritize the development of the country and the welfare of its people.
Obi made the statement on Friday at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar after addressing students of the University of Calabar’s Faculty of Dentistry.
He emphasized the need to shift attention from the 2027 elections to critical issues such as healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation. According to him, true governance is measured by how much it improves the lives of citizens.
“We must stop discussing politics and start discussing the development of the people — investing in measurable areas like education, health, and pulling people out of poverty,” Obi said. “Governance is about the people. Service is about our people.”
Obi decried the imbalance in government spending, noting the contrast between luxury enjoyed by political office holders and the lack of basic amenities in schools.
“We cannot have a society where we spend millions to buy cars for political office holders, while young people lack classrooms and chairs to study. It shouldn’t be. We must dismantle that system and invest in critical development areas,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor, while encouraging students to take their education seriously, described learning as their most powerful tool for global relevance. He maintained that his immediate concern is the well-being of Nigerians, not electoral politics.
“I don’t want to talk about 2027. Let me talk about how the average Nigerian can put food on the table, how our children can stay in school, and how our hospitals can provide proper care. When 2027 comes, I will be there — and I will contest,” he concluded.
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