Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has questioned whether Nigeria’s political leaders are demonstrating the qualities of “sound minds,” arguing that the country’s worsening insecurity, hunger and corruption demand urgent attention rather than political maneuvering.
Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday after completing his nomination forms at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, one of the questions on the commission’s nomination form prompted him to reflect on the quality of leadership in the country.
“This question has become necessary, given where we are today as a nation and where we are supposed to be,” Obi said.
“While completing my INEC nomination form yesterday, Section E, Question 1 caught my attention. It asks: ‘Have you ever been adjudged a lunatic or been declared a person of unsound mind?’ The answer is either Yes or No. That question got me thinking: Can we, as the political leaders of today’s Nigeria, truly say we are exhibiting the characteristics of a sound mind?”
The former Anambra State governor said the country’s mounting security and economic challenges should take precedence over partisan politics.
“When Nigerians, including children and security personnel, are being abducted into the bushes, citizens cannot travel safely on our highways, several million Nigerians are uncertain where their next meal will come from, and several billions are being siphoned frivolously through non-existent agencies and projects, should politics really be our primary preoccupation?” he asked.
Obi maintained that a responsible leadership would have declared the nation’s challenges a national emergency and mobilised all available resources to confront them.
“A sound-minded leadership would have declared these existential challenges a national emergency and immediately mobilised all relevant institutions, security agencies, experts, community leaders, and other critical stakeholders to confront them with urgency and resolve. At a moment like this, the survival, security, and stability of Nigeria must take precedence over every other consideration. This is a time for decisive action, not political calculation or the pursuit of partisan advantage.”
The NDC presidential candidate also called for greater transparency in the electoral process, citing another question on the INEC nomination form regarding forged academic certificates.
He argued that public confidence in elections would be strengthened if the electoral commission published the academic credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective office.
“Further in the same Section E, Question 6, was: ‘Have you ever presented a forged certificate to INEC?’ Again, the answer is either Yes or No. This raises another important question: Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and to strengthen public confidence in our electoral process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office?”
Obi said transparency remains essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and restoring public trust in governance.
“Transparency strengthens democracy and builds public trust. Nigeria’s problems are too serious for politics as usual. It is time for leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, compassion, and commitment to service,” he stated.
