The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has made a firm commitment to spend his official holidays within the borders of Nigeria if elected into office, vowing to shift his downtime to regions grappling with security challenges to demonstrate firsthand leadership.
Speaking during an interactive town hall meeting held in Kaduna on Saturday, Obi emphasized that the security architecture of the country will receive absolute priority under his administration. He told the gathering of supporters and citizens that his time off would be spent traveling directly to troubled spots rather than seeking leisure abroad.
The former governor assured the audience that within a four-year term, his holidays would deliberately take place in places like Zamfara, Borno, Kano, Oyo, and Ondo states, stressing that leaders must lead by example when it comes to restoring domestic stability. He further decried the current reality where ordinary citizens live in constant fear of being abducted while transacting business or traveling across state lines.
Recalling a time when inter-state travel was safe and routine, Obi shared his personal experience of driving freely from Lagos to Kaduna in the past. He expressed deep concern over the prevailing climate of fear, noting how friends and associates expressed anxiety upon learning of his recent trip to Kaduna. He promised that such apprehension would soon become a thing of the past as his administration fundamentally transforms the nation’s security landscape.
Beyond security, the presidential hopeful outlined a vision for inclusive growth, promising deliberate policies designed to open doors of opportunity for every Nigerian child, regardless of social standing or background. He reiterated his dream of building a nation where a child from humble origins can rise to prominence purely on merit, without needing to know anyone in high places.
