The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to join hands in rebuilding the country, saying corruption and poor leadership have prevented Nigeria from reaching its full potential.
Obi made the call after meeting with Nigerians living in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he listened to their concerns and discussed the country’s future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Anambra State governor said rebuilding Nigeria requires the collective efforts of all citizens, regardless of where they live.
He said the responsibility of building a better nation should not be left to government alone but must involve every Nigerian.
“The task of building a New Nigeria remains our collective responsibility, and there is no better time to roll up our sleeves and get to work than now,” Obi said.
He lamented that years of corruption and leadership failure had slowed Nigeria’s development despite its abundant human and natural resources.
According to him, Nigeria has all it takes to become one of the world’s leading nations if the problems of corruption and poor governance are tackled.
“Nigeria remains one of the most blessed countries in the world and would have taken its place among the most developed countries if not for corruption and the leadership failure bedevilling it,” he said.
Obi stressed that the quality of leadership determines the success or failure of any nation, urging Nigerians to elect leaders with character, competence, capacity and commitment.
He said the 2027 general election should be seen as a defining moment for the country’s future rather than an ordinary political contest.
“That is why we must approach the coming general elections as a race for national survival rather than another routine exercise. It is our collective battle,” he said.
Obi urged Nigerians to remain united in the quest for a better country, expressing confidence that a “New Nigeria” is possible through responsible leadership and collective action.