Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on Nigeria’s political leaders to shift their attention from partisan politics to tackling the country’s worsening insecurity, hunger and governance challenges.
Obi made the call in a post shared on his official X account on Tuesday, where he reflected on questions contained in the nomination form of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying they prompted him to assess the quality of leadership in the country.
According to him, one of the questions on the form asks: “Have you ever been adjudged a lunatic or been declared a person of unsound mind?”
He said the question led him to reflect on whether Nigeria’s current political leaders are demonstrating the attributes of sound judgment.
“This question has become necessary, given where we are today as a nation and where we are supposed to be,” Obi wrote.
“While completing my INEC nomination form yesterday, Section E, Question 1 caught my attention. It asks: ‘Have you ever been adjudged a lunatic or been declared a person of unsound mind?’ The answer is either Yes or No. That question got me thinking: Can we, as the political leaders of today’s Nigeria, truly say we are exhibiting the characteristics of a sound mind?”
The former Anambra State governor lamented the country’s security and economic situation, noting that many Nigerians are unable to travel safely, while millions struggle daily to meet basic needs.
“When Nigerians, including children and security personnel, are being abducted into the bushes, citizens cannot travel safely on our highways, several million Nigerians are uncertain where their next meal will come from, and several billions are being siphoned frivolously through non-existent agencies and projects, should politics really be our primary preoccupation?”
Obi argued that a responsible government would treat the country’s security and humanitarian challenges as a national emergency.
“A sound-minded leadership would have declared these existential challenges a national emergency and immediately mobilised all relevant institutions, security agencies, experts, community leaders, and other critical stakeholders to confront them with urgency and resolve.”
He added: “At a moment like this, the survival, security, and stability of Nigeria must take precedence over every other consideration. This is a time for decisive action, not political calculation or the pursuit of partisan advantage.”
Obi also advocated greater transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process, citing another question in the INEC nomination form regarding forged academic certificates.
According to him, the form asks: “Have you ever presented a forged certificate to INEC?”
He questioned why the electoral commission should not make candidates’ educational credentials publicly available.
“Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and to strengthen public confidence in our electoral process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office?”
He maintained that openness in the electoral process would strengthen democracy and improve citizens’ confidence in public institutions.
“Transparency strengthens democracy and builds public trust. Nigeria’s problems are too serious for politics as usual. It is time for leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, compassion, and commitment to service.”