The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria must be led by competent, accountable and compassionate leaders to harness its abundant human and natural resources and achieve sustainable development.
Obi made the remark on Tuesday in a post on his official X account after participating in a high-level roundtable discussion titled “Nigeria in 2027 and Beyond,” organised by the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, Germany.
According to the former Anambra State governor, the discussions centred on Nigeria’s democratic future beyond 2027, development cooperation, international relations and ways of strengthening bilateral partnerships to drive economic growth.
Obi said he was encouraged by the level of interest shown by participants in Nigeria’s future, stressing that the country has all it takes to become prosperous if it embraces good governance.
“During the discussions, I reiterated my unwavering belief that Nigeria possesses all the human and natural resources required to become a prosperous, secure, and globally competitive nation,” he said.
He added that the country’s progress depends on leadership that places the welfare of citizens above politics.
“What is required is competent, accountable, and compassionate leadership that prioritises investment in people, education, healthcare, productive enterprise, the rule of law, and strong institutions over politics of consumption,” Obi stated.
He further urged Nigeria to make deliberate choices that would transform the economy and unite the country.
“Nigeria’s future is bright, but only if we make the deliberate choices that will move our country from consumption to production, from poverty to prosperity, and from division to unity.
“By embracing good governance, fiscal responsibility, and productive partnerships with the international community, we can build an economy that works for all Nigerians and restores our nation’s standing among the comity of nations,” he said.
Obi explained that the event brought together policymakers, diplomats, development experts, business leaders, representatives of international organisations and members of the international media to deliberate on Nigeria’s future and its role in the global community.
He also expressed appreciation to the European Council on Foreign Relations for the invitation, describing such engagements as valuable platforms for strengthening international cooperation and fostering long-term partnerships.