Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over reports that he is seeking to prevent the release of records relating to his past in a United States court, describing the development as troubling for Nigeria’s image and democratic values.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Obi said he remained committed to Nigeria despite opportunities to seek citizenship elsewhere, stressing that his faith in the country’s future remained unwavering.
“As a citizen of no other country, who has never sought foreign citizenship even when doing so became fashionable, my loyalty to Nigeria and my faith in her destiny remain unshaken,” he wrote.
Obi revealed that he had spent Sunday praying for Nigeria and those in positions of authority but was left disturbed by what he described as the country’s current direction.
“Yesterday, 30th of August, being Sunday, I fervently prayed for our nation and for those entrusted with the solemn responsibility of leadership. I found myself deeply saddened by the direction in which our country is heading,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor expressed concern over reports that a sitting Nigerian President was asking a foreign court to withhold records relating to his past, insisting that matters of public interest should not be shielded from scrutiny.
“It is profoundly embarrassing that we have reached a point where a sitting President is asking a foreign court to withhold records concerning his past, particularly records relating to matters of legitimate public interest,” Obi said.
He argued that genuine leadership requires openness and accountability, maintaining that leaders should be prepared to explain their past actions and admit mistakes where necessary.
“Leadership, in my humble view, demands the courage and humility to confront one’s history — to acknowledge mistakes, provide candid explanations where questions arise, and, where necessary, apologise and seek forgiveness. True authority is strengthened, not diminished, when a leader accepts responsibility rather than seeks to shield uncomfortable aspects of the past from legitimate scrutiny,” he added.
Obi also raised concerns over questions surrounding educational credentials, saying such issues should be addressed openly instead of through prolonged legal disputes.
“This becomes particularly important when questions concern educational credentials. Issues surrounding foundational schooling — primary and secondary — should not remain unresolved or be addressed primarily through legal proceedings. Nigerians deserve clear, credible, and verifiable explanations, especially when such had been submitted in the past,” he stated.
According to him, the controversy sends the wrong message to millions of Nigerians, especially young people who look up to public office holders as examples of integrity and ethical leadership.
“My deepest concern is the example this sets for more than 200 million Nigerians, particularly the over 30 million young people in schools. The nation’s highest office should exemplify integrity, accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership,” Obi said.
He further noted that no individual has a flawless past, but insisted that honesty, humility and accountability remain essential qualities of leadership.
“An imperfect past is part of the human condition. What matters is the willingness to confront it with humility, honesty and deep apology, to make amends where necessary and, when circumstances so demand, to place the interests of the nation above personal ambition,” he wrote.
Obi urged Nigeria’s political leaders to prioritise the country’s long-term interests above personal ambitions, stressing that public office is temporary but the values established by leaders endure.
“When will our political class fully appreciate that individual ambitions are temporary, while the nation endures? The Presidency is an office held for a season; the moral standards established by those who occupy it can influence generations.
“Nigeria is greater than any one person, and the integrity of the Republic must always come before the interests of the individual.”