Peter Obi has defended his 2027 presidential ambition, citing his Anambra record and promising to cut waste, fight corruption and improve governance.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, has responded to criticism from his former running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, insisting that his record in Anambra State demonstrates his ability to deliver effective governance at the national level.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the remarks while outlining his vision for Nigeria during an interview previewed by Arise Television on Monday.
His comments came days after Baba-Ahmed questioned the capacity of politicians preparing to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election to bring about meaningful improvements in the country.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket during the 2023 presidential election, had specifically included Obi among the opposition figures he believed would not be able to transform Nigeria if given the opportunity to govern.
The disagreement has attracted attention because of the political partnership between the two men during the 2023 election, when they campaigned together under the Labour Party platform.
While Baba-Ahmed expressed doubts about the ability of the major opposition contenders to improve the country, Obi pointed to his previous experience in Anambra as evidence that he understands how to manage public resources and pursue development.
According to Obi, his administration in Anambra made progress in important sectors, and he believes the same approach could be replicated on a larger scale if Nigerians entrust him with the presidency.
“I passed through Anambra State, and I improved the state in critical areas of development. And I can do the same thing in Nigeria,” Obi said.
The former governor said one of his immediate priorities would be to restore discipline, responsibility and professionalism to the way government operates.
He criticised what he described as the excessive cost of governance and promised to reduce unnecessary spending if elected president.
“I am sure that if given the opportunity, first I will bring civility and order in governance, and I will be able to cut costs of governance, which is irresponsible today. I will be able to do quite a number of things that will bring honour and respect to the country,” he said.
Obi lists priorities
Beyond reducing government expenditure, Obi said his proposed administration would focus on fighting corruption and eliminating waste within the public sector.
He also promised to strengthen law and order and ensure that democratic institutions operate properly.
The former governor said the conduct of elections would be another major area of attention, stressing that electoral manipulation would not be tolerated under his watch.
“I will fight corruption; I will deal with issues of waste, law and order, and rigging won’t take place under my watch; political parties will function, and things will be done properly,” Obi stated.
He also identified national unity and security as key challenges requiring urgent intervention.
According to him, Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress if insecurity continues to threaten citizens and communities or if divisions continue to undermine national cohesion.
Obi said his administration would therefore seek to bring Nigerians together while making security a central component of its governing agenda.
“I will focus on our priorities to unite the country, as it’s not united today, and secure the country. Secondly, secure the country. Thirdly, to ensure we prioritise critical areas of development, like health, education and pulling people out of poverty,” he added.
His proposed priorities also include greater attention to healthcare and education, which he described as critical sectors for Nigeria’s long-term development.
Obi said the government must move beyond rhetoric and concentrate its resources on areas capable of improving citizens’ living conditions and reducing poverty.
Datti Baba-Ahmed’s criticism
Baba-Ahmed had made his comments during an interview on the Mic On Podcast, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
The interview, which was published on Saturday, featured a discussion on the political developments ahead of the 2027 general election and the various politicians seeking to challenge Tinubu.
Baba-Ahmed said he would advise Tinubu to prepare to leave office but argued that the president’s departure should not automatically be interpreted as an endorsement of the opposition politicians seeking to replace him.
“I will simply advise Uncle (Tinubu) to please prepare to hand over and move away, but not to the people contesting against him because none of them will improve Nigeria,” he said.
The interviewer subsequently sought clarification on whether Baba-Ahmed was referring to all the politicians challenging the president.
He responded by broadening his criticism to the opposition figures in the race, arguing that many of them had previously been connected to the existing political establishment.
“Tinubu should leave the stage. All those people contesting against him, too—they were all in bed together at some point or another,” Baba-Ahmed said.
When specifically asked whether his assessment also covered Peter Obi, Baba-Ahmed gave a direct response.
“Including Peter Obi, I’m sorry to say,” he said.
Former allies now on different paths
The exchange is significant because of the political relationship between Obi and Baba-Ahmed.
The two men were prominent figures in the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign, with Obi contesting for president and Baba-Ahmed serving as his running mate.
Their campaign attracted considerable support, particularly among younger Nigerians and voters seeking an alternative to the country’s established political parties.
However, their political paths have since diverged, with Obi now identified with the NDC ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Obi’s response to Baba-Ahmed’s criticism centres largely on his previous record in Anambra and his argument that effective leadership requires a focus on prudent spending, accountability, security and human development.
As political activities intensify ahead of 2027, Obi is positioning his experience in Anambra as part of his case for national leadership, while also presenting governance reform, corruption reduction, electoral credibility, national unity, healthcare, education and poverty reduction as key pillars of his proposed agenda.
The exchange between the former running mates adds another layer to the emerging political contest ahead of the 2027 election, with opposition figures increasingly defining their positions and attempting to convince Nigerians that they can provide a better alternative for the country.i
About The Author
