BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has vowed to declare war on the corruption that bled the system dry as part of measures aimed at restoring Nigeria’s controversial fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027
Dropping the political bombshell on Monday during a high-stakes town hall meeting in Sokoto to rally support for the joint Obi/Kwankwaso ticket, Obi identified corruption as a major challenge confronting the country, pledging that his administration would tackle corruption across all sectors.
The opposition party flagbearer said the NDC administration will adopt a two-pronged strategy of eliminating systemic fraud first, then return the subsidy cushion the economic hardship of struggling citizens.
He told a packed crowd that systemic corruption remains the single greatest barrier to Nigeria’s survival and promised an aggressive, cross-sector purge of public graft to free up the revenues needed to fund the reinstated subsidy and ease the financial stranglehold on everyday citizens.
Taking direct aim at the nation’s economic crisis, the NDC Standard bearer said: “People are talking about subsidy but what is all about it is corruption. By removing the corruption, I assure you that we will bring back subsidy. The problem of Nigeria is corruption, as such, if elected, we will stop all forms of corruption in every sector of the country.”
The former Anambra State governor challenged Nigerians to use the 2027 general elections to vote for NDC candidates at all levels, describing the task of addressing the country’s challenges as a collective responsibility.
Obi, who said the party was committed to what he termed a “politics of care and service to Nigerians”, expressed concern over the economic situation, promising that the NDC administration would, if elected, deploy the country’s resources to improve security, education and other sectors.
According to him, “Education is our number one priority after unity and security”, even as he also pledged to connect all state capitals with railway lines to facilitate economic activities and promote development.
In his remarks, the NDC Vice Ppresidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, said the visit was to physically engage with residents of Sokoto and seek their support ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that the delegation had earlier visited the Sultan of Sokoto, who, according to him, prayed for the success of the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket and conveyed his goodwill.
The former Kano State governor, who lamented that various parts of the country were facing security challenges, with the North-West particularly affected by banditry and kidnapping, said: “We are, therefore, committed to mitigating all these challenges and make Nigeria better.”
Also speaking, the NDC governorship candidate Dr. Shamsudeen Haido, who brought his 2027 campaign trail to the Forum, staked his run on a fierce promise of good governance for the people and residents of Sokoto State.
Similarly, the State Chairman of NDC, Alhaji Bello Yabo, said the massive gathering did double duty for the party as it gave residents unprecedented, direct access to the blueprints and national visions of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso – With NAN reports
