ABUJA — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged that he will not spend his holidays outside Nigeria if elected President in the 2027 general elections.
Obi made the commitment in his Independence Day address on Thursday, October 1, 2026, saying he would use his holidays to travel across different parts of the country, engage directly with citizens and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges confronting Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor specifically mentioned Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi, Edo and Ekiti States among the places he intends to visit during a proposed four-year tenure.
“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.
He added: “My holidays will be spent in Zamfara State; Borno State; Kwara State; Ebonyi State; Edo State; Ekiti State and other Nigerian States.
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“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.”
Governance Must Be Measurable — Obi
Obi said the holiday pledge formed part of what he described as a broader approach to leadership focused on the welfare, productivity and accountability of government.
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He said that, if elected, his administration would make governance measurable and accountable, with public resources directed towards improving the lives of citizens.
“My message today is not one of despair. It is a message of hope, determination and responsibility. I dare to proclaim with full assurance that a new Nigeria is possible,” he said.
The NDC candidate further pledged that Nigerians would begin to see what he described as tangible results from his administration within its first year.
“As President of Nigeria, I will make governance measurable, accountable and centred on the welfare and productivity of our people. Within the first year, Nigerians will begin to see the tangible impact of purposeful and effective leadership,” he stated.
Obi Highlights Insecurity, Displacement
The presidential candidate also used his address to draw attention to the challenges facing internally displaced Nigerians.
He referred to a recent visit to an internally displaced persons’ camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto State, which he said he visited alongside his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
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According to Obi, the visit brought them face-to-face with women and children displaced from their communities as a result of insecurity and other socio-economic challenges.
He said many of those affected were living under difficult conditions, while children faced disruptions to their education and families had limited access to basic healthcare.
Obi argued that Nigerians displaced by insecurity should instead be living safely in their communities, attending school, farming, operating businesses and contributing to the national economy.
“No Nigerian should be forced to live in an IDP camp because his or her government has failed to provide security,” he said.
He pledged that a government under his leadership would seek to enable displaced Nigerians to return safely and with dignity to their communities.
‘We Will Build a Secure, United and Productive Nigeria’
Obi said his proposed administration would prioritise security, education, healthcare and productive economic activity as part of an effort to build what he described as a “secure, united and productive” Nigeria.
He also argued that Nigeria’s challenge was not simply a lack of resources, but the failure to translate the country’s resources into human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity.
The former Anambra governor called on Nigerians to demand accountability from those entrusted with public office.
According to him, leadership must be viewed as a responsibility and public office as a sacred trust.
“The Nigeria we desire will not be built by prayers alone, nor by promises alone. It will be built by leadership that understands that public office is a sacred trust, by citizens who demand accountability, and by all of us who refuse to accept failure as our destiny.”
Obi concluded by calling for a new and productive Nigeria, saying his vision was for a country where leadership remains accountable to the people and public resources are deployed for the benefit of citizens.
Cruise TV News will continue to provide updates on the 2027 presidential race and the policy positions and campaign commitments of the major political contenders.
