2027: ‘I won’t steal public funds or allow others ithers to steal if elected,’ says Peter Obi

Peter Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has promised to fight corruption should he win the presidency in 2027. He said he would not use public money for his personal gains nor permit any other individual to use the money.

The pledge was made by Obi on Monday during the inauguration ceremony of the National Campaign Council of the party.

“We will fight corruption head on. Under my administration, I will not steal Nigerian money and I won’t allow anybody to steal what belongs to the good people of Nigeria,” he declared.

At the event, the former Anambra State governor also called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.

“President Tinubu must go home,” Obi said.

In a related development, the NDC presidential candidate accused Tinubu of encouraging and facilitating political violence while demanding the immediate release of the party’s political mobiliser, Rilwan Olawale, following his reported arrest at his residence in Lagos.

In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, titled “Civility Is Not Weakness. Enough of the Harassment of My Supporters. Release Rilwan Olawale Now,” Obi condemned the reported arrest, describing it as an attack on democracy and opposition voices.

He urged Tinubu to stop actions he believes could undermine the democratic system that brought the president to power.

Obi also warned that the encouragement of political thuggery and violence could undermine Nigeria’s democracy, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.

The former governor called for transparency over the circumstances surrounding Olawale’s reported arrest and reiterated the need to protect political participation and opposition activities.

The allegations against Tinubu and the circumstances surrounding Olawale’s arrest were presented in Obi’s statement. Further details from the relevant authorities were not included in the supplied report.