Peter Obi Pledges Domestic Holidays in Independence Day Address

Presidential candidate Peter Obi delivered an Independence Day address in Abuja marking Nigeria's 66th anniversary, where he pledged that he will not spend his holidays outside Nigeria if elected president in 2027. He stated his intention to spend vacations traveling to states such as Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi, Edo, and Ekiti to interact with citizens and understand their challenges.

Obi rejected the notion that Nigeria is cursed, instead attributing the nation's poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment to leadership failures. He criticized the All Progressives Congress-led administration for failing to address widespread poverty and the high number of out-of-school children despite promises made in 2023. He highlighted that over 140 million Nigerians live in poverty and 18 million children are out of school.

Citing a recent visit to the Ramin Kura Internally Displaced Persons camp in Sokoto State with running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso, Obi described the deplorable conditions facing displaced citizens. He committed to shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to a productive one, prioritizing healthcare, education, and security. He pledged to make governance measurable and accountable to ensure farmers and students can safely return to their activities.