By Ọla Kiya, Reporting
LAGOS — A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians not to support him based on his tribal or religious identity, but rather on his ability to deliver positive, lasting change to the nation.
Speaking exclusively on Monday during Prime Time, a current affairs programme on Arise Television, Mr Obi argued that incompetent leaders with no real vision often weaponise ethnicity as a political crutch.
“Do not vote for me because I’m from the South East or a Christian,” he said. “Vote for me because I am committed to turning Nigeria around positively. And I will start from the North because I know where the problem is.”
The former Anambra State governor laid out an economic vision focused on shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven model to a production-led economy.
“After bringing back all those productivity that made it for the North to be safe, and move it to the south,” he explained. “That’s why I keep saying we move the country from consumption to production, from sharing the wealth to creating the wealth. When you start creating the wealth, people will see it.”
Mr Obi, a prominent voice among Nigeria’s opposition figures, also called for a society where opportunity is not determined by connections.
“You build a society where people start work. Talent will match up with opportunity, where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody,” he added.
His remarks are likely to reignite debate on merit versus identity in Nigerian politics, as the country gears up for future electoral contests.
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