A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Peter Obi, has expressed confidence in his vision to transform Northern Nigeria, stating that no other political figure possesses comparable plans for the region.
Obi made the remarks on Monday night during an appearance on ARISE News Channel, where he discussed national unity, political collaborations, and development strategies in the lead-up to the 2027 general election.
Addressing his recent meeting with the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, which has sparked talks of a potential alliance, Obi noted that the interaction was part of wider efforts to promote cohesion across political and regional divides.
“One of the things that is affecting us today in this country is lack of unity. We need now to be united as a country. We have to now ensure that religion, tribe does not exist in building this future we want. We need united, secure Nigeria where we can start conversing and discussing issues that help us to build a better future,” he said.
Responding to suggestions that he would require the support of influential Northern politicians such as Nasir El-Rufai and Kwankwaso to secure victory in the 2027 election and gain acceptance in the North, Obi acknowledged working with them but insisted he remains confident in his personal agenda for the region.
“Well, my reaction is that I work with them so they can do that. But I can tell you, you can take it in this studio. Nobody can build or do what I intend to do in the North. I’ll change the North,” he said.
He further emphasized that Northern Nigeria possesses some of the nation’s most significant economic resources, particularly in agriculture, which he described as a sustainable alternative to reliance on oil.
“Aggregated assets as a country is in the North. The vast uncultivated land is our future. We can make more money as a country from agriculture than we make from oil. And that we have to start doing immediately,” Obi stated.
According to him, tackling insecurity in the region would require strategic investment in key sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare, aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods.
“If we want to secure the North today, we need to start investing in those critical areas — agriculture, start pulling people out of poverty, invest in education, invest in health. And that we can do,” he said.
Obi added that his policy direction is shaped by his exposure to global practices, gained through extensive international travel and observation.
“I have taken time, if I can say it, more than any other person could test me, to visit different countries to see firsthand what they are doing. And I could see it in the North. I could see that future,” he added.
