NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has challenged his political opponents to leave their comfort zones and engage directly with Nigerians, saying leaders must listen to the people they hope to govern.
Obi made the call after an interactive town hall meeting held in Kaduna, where he was joined by his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other party candidates to discuss issues affecting the country and present their vision for Nigeria.
The town hall followed Obi’s visit to the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute in Rigachikun, Kaduna State, and was part of the party’s nationwide engagement with citizens ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking after the meeting, Obi said the gathering gave party leaders the opportunity to hear directly from Nigerians and respond to their concerns.
“Yesterday, after my visit to the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute in Rigachikun, Kaduna, I joined my running mate, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and candidates of our party for an interactive town hall meeting organised by the party.”
“The town hall, which is a continuation of our series of engagements with citizens following the one we recently held in Port Harcourt, again afforded us the opportunity to interact directly with our fellow citizens, listen to their concerns, answer their questions and hear their contributions on the critical issues facing our country today.”
He said the party assured participants of its determination to restore security, reduce poverty and improve access to quality healthcare and education.
“Our response was to reassure our dear compatriots of our commitment to uniting our nation, pulling our people out of poverty, investing in healthcare and education, and aggressively tackling insecurity, so that our people can safely return to their homes, communities and farms.”
Obi also said his party would address corruption and inefficiencies in the fuel subsidy system while working to reduce the burden of high fuel costs on Nigerians.
“We also spoke about the need to address the endemic corruption and inefficiencies in the fuel subsidy regime, reduce the burden of fuel costs on Nigerians, and create an economy that supports our citizens to live decent and dignified lives in their own country.”
Calling on other presidential aspirants to adopt a similar approach, Obi said direct engagement with citizens is essential to democracy.
“Let me use this opportunity once again to call on our opponents to also speak directly with the people and listen to their feedback. The very essence of democracy is people-centred governance. Leaders and aspiring leaders must therefore leave their comfort zones and interface directly with the people they seek to serve.”
He thanked the party leadership and organisers of the Kaduna town hall, while commending residents of the state for what he described as their commitment to a leadership that values public opinion.
“I thank our party leadership and the organisers of this town hall for a job well done, and I congratulate the good people of Kaduna State for their renewed commitment to supporting a leadership that listens to and respects their concerns.”
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