The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for President Bola Tinubu to leave office after the 2027 general election, declaring that his administration would focus on tackling poverty, fighting corruption and ensuring that public funds serve the interests of Nigerians.
Obi made the remarks on Monday during the inauguration of the NDC Presidential Campaign Council in Kaduna State, where he criticised the Tinubu administration over the country’s economic challenges and questioned the benefits Nigerians had received from government borrowing.
The former Anambra State governor also pledged that he would not divert public funds if elected president.
He said his administration would hold public officials accountable and prevent the misuse of government resources.
Addressing supporters at the event, Obi said his campaign would focus on offering solutions to the country’s problems rather than blaming political opponents for existing challenges.
“We are not going to blame anybody; we are not being hired to blame anyone. We are being hired to solve problems.
“We will stop people from stealing public money. Public money must be used for public good.
“We will fight corruption head-on. Under my administration, I will not steal Nigerian money and I won’t allow anybody to steal what belongs to the good people of Nigeria. President Tinubu must go home.”
He argued that Nigerians needed leadership focused on addressing their daily difficulties, including poverty and the rising cost of living.
He also questioned the outcome of the Tinubu administration’s borrowing, asking what the country had gained from the funds secured by the Federal Government.
The NDC candidate further accused Tinubu of failing to adequately explain the achievements recorded under his administration’s annual budgets for 2023, 2024 and 2025.
According to Obi, the president should account for the resources borrowed and spent by his government instead of directing criticism at opposition politicians.
He also criticised the president over his comments on poverty in Nigeria, claiming that the country had recorded an alarming increase in the number of people living in poverty under the current administration.
“He has made history as the president that has produced the highest number of poor people according to the recent report.
“Just last Saturday, Tinubu was launching his second-term campaign. Rather than explain to Nigerians what he used all the billions he borrowed for, or what he achieved with the 2023, 2024 and 2025 budgets, he blamed other people.”
Obi’s comments reflect the economic concerns likely to feature prominently in political campaigns ahead of the next general election.
Issues such as food prices, unemployment, household purchasing power, public debt and access to basic services remain important to Nigerians assessing the performance of the Federal Government.
However, the poverty figures cited by Obi would need to be considered alongside the methodology, reporting period and population covered by the report he referenced.
His comments represent his assessment of the administration’s economic record, while the government would need to be assessed against its own published figures, policies and implementation results.
The former governor also presented himself and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as candidates seeking to address national challenges rather than engage in prolonged political exchanges with their opponents.
Obi said the pair would concentrate on finding solutions to the country’s problems, suggesting that their campaign would place governance, accountability and public welfare at the centre of their proposed leadership.