The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for decisive action against institutional corruption, describing it as a major factor responsible for Nigeria’s persistent development challenges.
Obi made the call on Tuesday, October 27, during a town hall meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, as part of his ongoing nationwide engagements with Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor said corruption must be tackled to address poverty, strengthen public institutions and improve the country’s economic and social development.
“My response was to reiterate our position that endemic, entrenched and institutional corruption remains at the core of many of the challenges confronting Nigeria today and must be decisively addressed,” he said.
Obi stressed that Nigeria needed a common purpose centred on national unity, security, investment in critical sectors and poverty reduction.
“I reiterated my commitment to uniting and securing our country around a common purpose: investing in health and education, strengthening our productive capacity and pulling our people out of pervasive poverty,” he said.
The NDC candidate said his visit to Kogi was part of his town hall meetings across the country, which provide opportunities to engage residents and discuss issues affecting their communities.
Before the meeting, Obi paid a courtesy visit to the Maigari of Lokoja, His Royal Highness, Dr Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, who received him and his entourage.
Obi expressed appreciation to the traditional ruler for receiving them at short notice and sharing the history of Lokoja.
“I sincerely thank His Royal Highness for receiving us at such short notice. I informed him of our town hall meeting in Lokoja, after which he graciously took time to share with us some of the history of the city,” he said.
During the visit, the traditional ruler spoke about Holy Trinity Primary School, established in 1865 by Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther and missionaries of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.
Reflecting on the institution’s history, Obi expressed concern about Nigeria’s education challenges, particularly the number of children who remain outside the formal education system.
“The Holy Trinity Primary School reminded me that, 161 years after its establishment, Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world,” he said.
He added that the country had not done enough to preserve its historical legacies or build on the foundations laid by previous generations.
“It is concerning that we have not done enough to preserve these legacies or build on the foundations laid by those who came before us,” Obi stated.
The NDC presidential candidate also visited the historic Iron of Liberty monument, where he reflected on efforts to end the slave trade in Nigeria.
“At the ‘Iron of Liberty,’ I was reminded of the historic collaboration between missionaries and the authorities in the struggle to end the slave trade in Nigeria,” he said.
According to Obi, the historical sites demonstrated the tourism potential of Kogi State and the need for Nigeria to pay greater attention to preserving its heritage.
“My visits to these sites reinforce my comments yesterday about spending all my holidays as President in Nigeria. They also highlight the abundant tourism potential of Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
At the town hall meeting, Obi and participants discussed several issues affecting the country, including corruption, agriculture, tourism and the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company.
He reiterated the need to address systemic corruption while investing in sectors capable of improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities.
After the meeting, Obi visited Kpata Market in Lokoja, where he interacted with traders and received first-hand accounts of the economic challenges affecting their businesses.
He said the traders complained about rising prices of goods and declining patronage, which they attributed to reduced disposable income among consumers.
“The traders complained of low patronage due to reduced disposable income among consumers,” he said.
Obi also visited a business owner whose commercial complex was recently gutted by fire to offer consolation.
He thanked the residents who attended the town hall meeting, as well as the organisers, party candidates and members, for their participation and contributions.
“I thank the large crowd that attended the event for their warm reception and the fruitful interaction we had,” he said.
The NDC candidate expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, concluding his statement with the message: “A New Nigeria is Possible, and Nigeria will be OK.”