Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and a leading figure in the opposition coalition aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has expressed confidence that the northern region of Nigeria will celebrate his presidency if elected in 2027.
Speaking as a guest on Sunday Politics, Obi emphasized that the North holds immense potential, calling it Nigeria’s greatest untapped asset. He pointed to the region’s expansive arable land and significant voter population as key advantages that have been neglected due to persistent insecurity.
“The biggest asset of this country is in the North—the uncultivated lands, the human capital, the sheer potential,” Obi said. “Unfortunately, insecurity has rendered much of this potential untapped. But if I become president, the North will celebrate me. I understand the problem, and I have a plan to address it.”
He urged Nigerians to move beyond ethnic and religious sentiment when voting, advocating instead for a focus on leadership competence.
“We have voted based on tribe, on religion, and on sentiment. Now let’s vote for competence. I want Nigerians, especially Northerners, to trust me,” Obi added.
The former Anambra State governor pledged to be a compassionate leader who prioritizes the needs of the people.
Criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s handling of national tragedies, Obi cited Tinubu’s absence from Ibadan in December 2024, where a stampede at a Christmas party led to the deaths of several children.
“People lost their children—our future—and the president went on a Christmas holiday in Lagos. That is not leadership. That is a lack of compassion,” Obi stated.
He also condemned Tinubu’s response to violence in Benue State, accusing him of failing to visit Yelwata, a community devastated by attacks from suspected herdsmen. Tinubu had blamed impassable roads and flooding for not reaching the area, but Obi dismissed the excuse as inadequate in the face of human suffering.
Obi reiterated his commitment to addressing insecurity, revitalizing agriculture, and ensuring every part of Nigeria—especially the North—benefits from inclusive governance if he emerges victorious in the 2027 election.
