Jane Salihu
Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, on Tuesday successfully underwent screening by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the party’s presidential primaries.
Obi arrived at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja shortly after the Chairman of the Screening Committee, Sam Egwu, and participated in a screening exercise that lasted more than two hours.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, Obi dismissed suggestions that he had already emerged as the party’s consensus presidential candidate, stressing that the process remained open, transparent and democratic.
“The party made the expression of interest forms available for purchase, and I bought mine. At the moment, I am the only person who has expressed interest, and that is where we are,” he said.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate praised the NDC leadership for adhering to due process.
“At NDC, we are determined to do things properly. When the party says there will be a screening, it conducts one. That is democracy in action,” Obi stated.
On reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan may join the race, Obi said he was focused on presenting solutions to Nigeria’s challenges rather than speculating about possible opponents.
“Democracy allows anyone who wishes to serve to offer themselves for election. My concentration is on how to build a better Nigeria,” he said.
Obi said his vision for Nigeria is rooted in unity, security, economic prosperity and inclusive governance guided by the constitutional principle of federal character.
According to him, Nigerians should be able to travel freely across the country without fear, while parents should no longer worry about the safety of their children.
“We want a country where mothers no longer panic when their children go to school and where citizens can move anywhere in Nigeria in safety,” he said.
Obi also pledged to tackle poverty, hunger and corruption, insisting that public resources must be used to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians rather than enrich a privileged few.
“Too many Nigerians go to bed hungry and uncertain of where their next meal will come from. That must change. Public assets should serve the common good, not private interests,” he said.
