Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has intensified grassroots engagement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), connecting directly with residents ahead of the February 21 local government area council elections in Abuja.
Obi, in a statement shared after days of extensive tours across several communities, said the week had been “incredibly busy” as he interacted with residents of the nation’s capital, stressing that leadership goes beyond policy formulation.
According to him, “Leadership is not merely about implementing policies and issuing directives; it requires truly understanding the needs of the populace.”
The former Anambra State governor described the forthcoming council polls as a vital opportunity to engage Abuja residents while mobilising support for his party’s candidates across the six area councils.
“The upcoming local government area council poll in Abuja on February 21 presents a crucial opportunity for me to engage with the people directly as I seek their vital support for my party’s candidate across the six local government councils in the FCT,” he stated.
Obi revealed that his engagement went beyond campaign activities, as he travelled through rural communities from Abaji to Kwali and other villages to understand the realities faced by residents.
“Over the past few days, I have travelled through the villages of Abuja, from Abaji to Kwali and beyond, not just to campaign, but to gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by rural communities,” he said, describing the situation as alarming. “It is unacceptable to witness the lack of basic services in our capital territory and to consider what this means for the rest of the nation.”
He expressed concern over the poor state of education and healthcare facilities in many parts of the FCT, despite official claims of free basic education and primary healthcare. “Despite having compulsory free basic education and proclaiming free primary healthcare, many communities within the capital are grossly underserved, lacking adequate primary healthcare facilities and functional schools,” Obi noted, adding that he held extensive discussions with community leaders during his visits.
Drawing from his experience in public office, Obi acknowledged that such challenges cannot be fixed overnight but criticised what he described as a lack of commitment by authorities.
“Having served as governor, I understand that these issues cannot be resolved instantly. However, what is profoundly troubling is the persistent lack of prioritisation and commitment to addressing these fundamental needs,” he said, emphasising that “Access to education and healthcare is crucial for the development of any society and the well-being of its people. We must do better.”
He concluded the message with his signature call for national renewal, declaring, “A new Nigeria is POssible.”