Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to spend his holidays in different parts of Nigeria if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Obi made the pledge in his Independence Day address in Abuja on Thursday, saying he would use his proposed four-year tenure to travel across the country, engage citizens and gain first-hand knowledge of their challenges.
He said his holiday destinations would include states affected by insecurity and other developmental challenges.
“As I have always done, I will lead by example. In four years as president of this great nation, I will not spend my holidays outside Nigeria,” Obi said.
“My holidays will be spent in Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti and other Nigerian states.”
The NDC candidate said the proposed visits would enable him to interact directly with Nigerians and better understand their circumstances.
“I want to continue to see Nigeria. I want to know Nigeria. I want to spend time with Nigerians, listen to them, understand their challenges and celebrate their resilience,” he said.
Obi also outlined his proposed approach to governance, promising to make government performance measurable and accountable, with emphasis on citizens’ welfare and productivity.
He said his administration would prioritise security, education and economic activity, particularly in communities affected by violence.
“We will confront insecurity decisively so that our farmers can return to their farms, our children can return to school, businesses can operate freely, and families can live without fear,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor criticised the APC-led Federal Government, saying Nigeria continued to face poverty, insecurity and a high number of out-of-school children despite the promises made in 2023.
He said the country’s challenge was not a lack of resources but the failure to translate available resources into human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity.
Obi also referred to his recent visit to Sokoto State with his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, where they consulted on insecurity, poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and out-of-school children.
He said the visit to an internally displaced persons’ camp in Ramin Kura, Sokoto, highlighted the difficulties faced by displaced Nigerians.
“The political leaders have failed our country and, most importantly, we have failed our children. This must change,” he said.
Obi had previously criticised Nigerian presidents for spending their holidays abroad and said the practice should change.
“Nigeria’s president must spend his vacation in Nigeria,” he said, arguing that the President should use holiday periods to visit areas facing security and developmental challenges.
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