Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he would take direct charge of government if elected in 2027, arguing that former President Muhammadu Buhari could not effectively fight corruption because he was not fully in control of his administration.
Obi made the claim in a recent interview with the BBC African Service while outlining his approach to corruption and presidential accountability.
“He was not in charge. The difference is this: I will be in charge,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor said his anti-corruption campaign would begin with the conduct of the president and members of his family.
According to him, a president who does not engage in corrupt practices and ensures that members of his immediate family do not do so would significantly reduce corruption within government.
“If you are not stealing, if you are not involved, your wife and family are not involved, you reduce it by 50 percent,” he said.
Obi said the conduct of the presidency would be critical to determining the standard expected across government.
He argued that ministers, agencies and other public officials would be more accountable when the president leads by example.
The NDC candidate also maintained that his approach to governance would involve taking responsibility for government decisions rather than allowing others to bear responsibility for actions taken under his administration.
His comments come as political parties and presidential candidates intensify their preparations for the 2027 general election.
Obi also rejected the idea that opposition parties should concentrate on persuading one presidential candidate to withdraw in favour of another.
Instead, he said opposition parties should focus on mobilising more Nigerians to participate in the election.
“In the last elections, Sokoto had over two million registered voters. Opposition should be talking about how do we get additional 25 million people to come in and vote. We don’t need to step down,” he said.
On the controversial issue of petrol subsidy, Obi said his position had not changed, insisting that his concern had always been the corruption associated with the policy.
“I have not changed on fuel subsidy,” he said, adding that “corruption is the problem of subsidy.”
Asked whether he would restore the subsidy if elected, Obi answered in the affirmative but said he would first remove what he described as corruption associated with its implementation.
“Yes, but not with the corruption associated with it. That’s why I said I will remove the corruption and retain the subsidy,” he said.
Obi’s latest comments put presidential control, personal conduct and accountability at the centre of his campaign message on corruption ahead of the 2027 election.
The former governor is seeking the presidency on the platform of the NDC, with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.