In a wide-ranging interview aired on Channels TV, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi restated his unwavering position that he would only need a single term in office if elected president to steer this country in the right direction, pledging, “I don’t need a day more than four years.” Emphasizing his vision for accountable and measurable governance, Obi declared that Nigerians “don’t expect 100% success; they want 100% effort and sacrifice.” According to him, what matters is not instant transformation, but that people “get up and see a president that cares—a president that shows compassion.”
On the economy, Obi criticized the current government’s subsidy removal policy, insisting it was executed in a “disorganized manner.” While he reiterated his long-held stance in favour of removing fuel subsidy, he emphasized that the “corruption associated with the subsidy” should have been addressed first. He also proposed a law mandating that all public borrowing be strictly for investment in key sectors like power and education, not consumption. “You don’t borrow for consumption,” he said firmly, adding that every kobo borrowed must be tied to measurable development outcomes.
Obi also restated his focus on agriculture and power as core economic drivers, noting that “we can make more money from agriculture than anything else.” He referenced his visit to Egypt to study its power reforms, stating that while power won’t be fixed overnight, “Egypt did it in five years,” suggesting Nigeria can follow a similar trajectory. “Development must be measurable,” he said, adding that if elected, “in two years, there’ll be minimal damage, and three years can change the country’s direction.”
