Obi Vows to Declare Emergency on Corruption, Demands Tinubu’s Accountability

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to declare a state of emergency on corruption if elected president in the 2027 general elections.

Obi made the pledge on Thursday during an interaction with residents of Enugu State as part of his engagements ahead of the presidential campaign.

The former Anambra State governor blamed corruption for Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges, saying the mismanagement of public funds had contributed to widespread hunger, unemployment and hardship.

He lamented that while many Nigerians were struggling to meet their basic needs, public resources continued to be diverted for private interests.

“Today, our country is suffering. Today, people are hungry. Today, our children do not have employment. Today, Nigeria is not secure,” Obi said.

He promised that his administration would prioritise accountability, transparency and the responsible management of public funds, insisting that government resources must be deployed for the benefit of citizens.

“As president of Nigeria, we will declare an emergency on corruption. People must stop stealing public money. Public money must be used for the public good.

“We will be accountable; we will be open. If we borrow money, you will know what the money is being borrowed for,” he stated.

Obi also pledged to tackle insecurity and promote national unity, saying his administration would take direct responsibility for addressing threats to the lives and property of Nigerians.

He urged voters to assess presidential candidates based on their competence and proposed policies rather than ethnic or regional considerations.

According to him, every candidate seeking the nation’s highest office should travel across the country to explain their plans to Nigerians and demonstrate their capacity to address the country’s challenges.

The NDC candidate also criticised President Bola Tinubu over his reported position that he would not campaign across all 36 states ahead of the 2027 election.

Obi argued that Nigerians deserved to hear directly from the President about his administration’s performance and how public resources had been utilised since he assumed office in 2023.

He called on Tinubu to spend at least 36 days visiting the states to explain his record to the electorate.

“Our president has travelled out of this country over 350 times. And now we are asking him: ‘Please spend at least 36 days—36 days—and go around Nigeria and tell them what you have been doing for the past three years,’” Obi said.

He further questioned the administration’s borrowing, demanding an explanation of how the funds had been spent.

“He must go around Nigeria and tell them what he used the nearly $100 billion he borrowed for. He must come and tell us where our money is,” he added.

Obi insisted that Tinubu must account for his administration’s record and urged Nigerians to demand transparency from those seeking or occupying public office.

The engagement formed part of Obi’s consultations with residents across the country as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.