₦airaland Forum

There is a question that comes up repeatedly whenever Peter Obi's name is mentioned in Nigerian politics:

Why does the possibility of Peter Obi becoming president generate so much anxiety among some political interests?

There is no honest way to know what is inside another person's mind. But there is a reasonable way to examine the question: look at what Obi has said he intends to change, and look at the way he managed Anambra State.

Obi's 2023 presidential manifesto was not built around simply sharing government positions or increasing government spending. One of its central promises was institutional reform: reducing the cost of governance, strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption and creating a more efficient civil service.

The manifesto explicitly promised to move Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a production-based economy, reduce the cost of governance and tackle corruption through legal and institutional reforms.

That is significant because changing institutions can affect the interests of people who benefit from the way those institutions currently operate.

Obi also repeatedly spoke about ending what he called Nigeria's “sharing mentality” and making government more focused on production, human capital and measurable results. His manifesto proposed investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure, technology and productive sectors rather than simply distributing national resources.

But perhaps the more interesting part of the argument is not what Obi promised in 2023. It is what he did in Anambra.

During his time as governor, Anambra returned many public schools to their original missionary owners while the government continued funding teachers. The state's examination performance subsequently improved substantially; Obi has repeatedly cited Anambra's movement from the lower positions nationally to first place in NECO during 2011–2013.

His administration also invested heavily in healthcare, including the construction of the state-owned teaching hospital in Awka and the development and accreditation of health institutions.

On the financial side, Obi's published record points to an emphasis on savings and investment. His 2023 manifesto claimed that Anambra established sub-sovereign wealth savings and that he left substantial cash, foreign-currency holdings and investments at the end of his tenure. Independent reporting has also documented the state's savings and investments, although the exact figures and their interpretation have been politically disputed.

That is where the debate becomes bigger than Peter Obi himself.

If a federal government genuinely attempted to make government less transactional, reduce unnecessary costs, strengthen institutions, digitise processes, improve financial controls and make public spending easier to track, people who benefit from opaque or inefficient systems could potentially lose access to those opportunities.

That is not proof that particular politicians are afraid of Obi.

It is, however, a reasonable explanation for why a reform agenda can threaten established interests.

And Obi's own manifesto was unusually explicit about this. It promised “comprehensive legal and institutional reforms” to fight corruption, establish the rule of law and create an honest and efficient civil service. It also promised that governance would become more “inclusive, cost-effective” and “less transactional.”

There is another important point.

A president cannot simply eliminate corruption because he says so. Nigeria's problems are institutional. They involve procurement, the civil service, the legislature, security agencies, state governments, public enterprises, contracts and the judiciary.

So the real test of any Obi presidency would not be speeches.

It would be whether the administration actually creates systems that make it harder to divert public money, harder to hide government spending and easier for citizens and institutions to hold officials accountable.

That is ultimately what makes the argument about Peter Obi more interesting than the usual political name-calling.

His supporters see a politician whose record in Anambra and whose presidential programme point toward fiscal discipline, production, human-capital investment and institutional reform.

His critics are entitled to question whether those ideas can actually be implemented at the federal level, whether his Anambra record is being presented completely, and whether his proposed reforms are realistic.

Those are legitimate questions.

But there is one question Nigerians should keep asking every politician, regardless of party:

Will government exist primarily to serve the public, or will public resources continue to be treated as political resources to be shared among those with access to power?

That is the real issue.

And if Peter Obi ever gets the opportunity to govern Nigeria, his biggest test will not be whether he can promise to close the loopholes.

It will be whether he can actually close them.

Unfortunately, this is a contradiction as he is fully part of the old order.

LordIsaac:
Unfortunately, this is a contradiction as he is fully part of the old order.

You nailed it with just a sentence! I duff my hat! 🫡

Like he not a part of those old caucus that ruined this country!

When His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) was in the forefront of the struggle for democracy, same Peter was in hot romance with Abacha.

Now he is telling us he is a saint!

HacheNoire:
You nailed it with just a sentence! I duff my hat! 🫡

Like he not a part of those old caucus that ruined this country!

When His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) was in the forefront of the struggle for democracy, same Peter was in hot romance with Abacha.

Now he is telling us he is a saint!

You are truly a poor student of history.

Peter Obi's manifesto promised;
-1). “comprehensive legal and institutional reforms” to fight corruption, establish the rule of law and create an honest and efficient civil service.

-2)). Governance would become more inclusive, cost-effective and less transactional.

This is so fearful enough to shake the old established order. God give Nigeria someone that will do this whether Peter Obi or someone else. Nigeria seriously needs this democratic revolution.

HacheNoire:
Like he not a part of those old caucus that ruined this country! When Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in the forefront of the struggle for democracy, same Peter was in hot romance with Abacha.Now he is telling us he is a saint!

You lots are really pathetic. If there is someone of the old brigade that destroyed Nigeria beyond repair, it is Tinubu and Buhari. Imagine the role they played in bringing Nigeria to the abyssal state it is today.

Same Tinubu that didn't believe in Nigeria until he is now benefitting from the corruption thereof? Abacha left Nigeria economically far more than where Tinubu has ruined it today. Peter Obi was not in the administrative cacus of Abacha regime, but was nominated for a port clearance operation role which he played then left the scene.

Racoon:
You lots are really pathetic. If there is someone of the old brigade that destroyed Nigeria beyond repair, it is Tinubu and Buhari. Imagine the role they played in bringing Nigeria to the abyssal state it is today.

Same Tinubu that didn't believe in Nigeria until he is now benefitting from the corruption thereof? Abacha left Nigeria economically far more than where Tinubu has ruined it today. Peter Obi was not in the administrative cacus of Abacha regime, but was nominated for a port clearance operation role which he played then left the scene.

Abacha only nominated people with like minds!

You also must appreciate His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) because the democracy and freedom of speech you enjoy today was fought for by him and other patriots.

Saying he destroyed the same country he saved from Peter Obi’s military caucus is vague and obscure.

We saw what His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) did in Lagos, show us what legacy Peter left in Anambra.

Obi is a waste of time. Guys, check out the reel below. It is from a Igbo female content creator fan of Tinubu. @BelindaUjuu.

Brilliant lady and far more intelligent than all Obidients on Nairaland. Especially those from the SE who merely want an Igbo Ptesidency.

Take one main message from the video "it takes power to confront power" and cabal plus entrenched systems.

Every Nigerian, if being completely truthful and sincere, know the Presidency is not Obi's level. Monsters everywhere needing taming and Obi's default setting is to flee always never confronting any.

Who and what has he built that will be his 'firewall',once President, that will assist him deliver needed reforms that will be resisted by monsters, cabal and entrenched systems Obi has alway fled from?

All positives Tinubu is achieving, including many the politically powerful North is vehemently against, is because Jagaban has "power to fight power".

Guys, please listen to the lady. You will understand most on NL just don't have a clue and are merely prejudiced.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EaXBq15hb/

YungMike:
There is a question that comes up repeatedly whenever Peter Obi's name is mentioned in Nigerian politics:

Why does the possibility of Peter Obi becoming president generate so much anxiety among some political interests?

There is no honest way to know what is inside another person's mind. But there is a reasonable way to examine the question: look at what Obi has said he intends to change, and look at the way he managed Anambra State.

Obi's 2023 presidential manifesto was not built around simply sharing government positions or increasing government spending. One of its central promises was institutional reform: reducing the cost of governance, strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption and creating a more efficient civil service.

The manifesto explicitly promised to move Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a production-based economy, reduce the cost of governance and tackle corruption through legal and institutional reforms.

That is significant because changing institutions can affect the interests of people who benefit from the way those institutions currently operate.

Obi also repeatedly spoke about ending what he called Nigeria's “sharing mentality” and making government more focused on production, human capital and measurable results. His manifesto proposed investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure, technology and productive sectors rather than simply distributing national resources.

But perhaps the more interesting part of the argument is not what Obi promised in 2023. It is what he did in Anambra.

During his time as governor, Anambra returned many public schools to their original missionary owners while the government continued funding teachers. The state's examination performance subsequently improved substantially; Obi has repeatedly cited Anambra's movement from the lower positions nationally to first place in NECO during 2011–2013.

His administration also invested heavily in healthcare, including the construction of the state-owned teaching hospital in Awka and the development and accreditation of health institutions.

On the financial side, Obi's published record points to an emphasis on savings and investment. His 2023 manifesto claimed that Anambra established sub-sovereign wealth savings and that he left substantial cash, foreign-currency holdings and investments at the end of his tenure. Independent reporting has also documented the state's savings and investments, although the exact figures and their interpretation have been politically disputed.

That is where the debate becomes bigger than Peter Obi himself.

If a federal government genuinely attempted to make government less transactional, reduce unnecessary costs, strengthen institutions, digitise processes, improve financial controls and make public spending easier to track, people who benefit from opaque or inefficient systems could potentially lose access to those opportunities.

That is not proof that particular politicians are afraid of Obi.

It is, however, a reasonable explanation for why a reform agenda can threaten established interests.

And Obi's own manifesto was unusually explicit about this. It promised “comprehensive legal and institutional reforms” to fight corruption, establish the rule of law and create an honest and efficient civil service. It also promised that governance would become more “inclusive, cost-effective” and “less transactional.”

There is another important point.

A president cannot simply eliminate corruption because he says so. Nigeria's problems are institutional. They involve procurement, the civil service, the legislature, security agencies, state governments, public enterprises, contracts and the judiciary.

So the real test of any Obi presidency would not be speeches.

It would be whether the administration actually creates systems that make it harder to divert public money, harder to hide government spending and easier for citizens and institutions to hold officials accountable.

That is ultimately what makes the argument about Peter Obi more interesting than the usual political name-calling.

His supporters see a politician whose record in Anambra and whose presidential programme point toward fiscal discipline, production, human-capital investment and institutional reform.

His critics are entitled to question whether those ideas can actually be implemented at the federal level, whether his Anambra record is being presented completely, and whether his proposed reforms are realistic.

Those are legitimate questions.

But there is one question Nigerians should keep asking every politician, regardless of party:

Will government exist primarily to serve the public, or will public resources continue to be treated as political resources to be shared among those with access to power?

That is the real issue.

And if Peter Obi ever gets the opportunity to govern Nigeria, his biggest test will not be whether he can promise to close the loopholes.

It will be whether he can actually close them.

[color=#006600][/color]

Those against Peter Obi in this thread are all beneficiaries and paid agents of the old order. Any normal citizen that is deceived by those few loud mouths has himself/herself to blame.
Nobody is coming to save you.
Those politicians have families in foreign countries and while in 9ja they have security guards.
It will be senseless for anyone to stand under the sun/rain to vote in their problem.

HacheNoire:
-1). Abacha only nominated people with like minds!
-2). Appreciate BAT because the democracy and freedom of speech you enjoy today was fought for by him and other patriots.

-3). Saying he destroyed the same country he saved from Peter Obi’s military caucus is vague and obscure.
-4). We saw what Tinubu did in Lagos, show us what legacy Peter left in Anambra.

Now I can see why you lots are always having strange political logic? This is why a monumental disaster like Tinubu is a hero to you.
@1 Same Tinubu that was secretly networking for Abacha to nominate him as the governor of Lagos State until the fell out before he started his infamy of NADECO democrat? Kola Abiola exposure on Tinubu also render this your hypocrisy useless.

@2. Tinubu was never a democrat but a tyrant disguised. See Lagos politics. All his political antecedents have all came back to hunt him real good. The antagonist stance fuel subsidy removal, abuse of human rights tyranny, economic hardship among many have all worsened some more under him given reports from world's regulatory agencies today.

@3. The current political anarchy, brigandage and gangsterism where APC thugs, miscreants, alayes, rascals are doing anti-democratic acts nationwide in support of a one-party/autocratic govt says it all. Besides, Tinubu, Akpabio, Opeyemi Bamidele have all been making inflammatory statements in this regard.

@4). Tinubu was never nominated as the best governor of Lagos State anywhere except Fashola at the same Time as Peter Obi. As for the records, ask those who nominate both of them as best governors of their time for the indices they used then. It will give you more clearer pictures of Peter Obi achievements.

Racoon:
Now I can see why you lots are always having strange political logic? This is why a monumental disaster like Tinubu is a hero to you.
@1 Same Tinubu that was secretly networking for Abacha to nominate him as the governor of Lagos State until the fell out before he started his infamy of NADECO democrat? Kola Abiola exposure on Tinubu also render this your hypocrisy useless.

@2. Tinubu was never a democrat but a tyrant disguised. See Lagos politics. All his political antecedents have all came back to hunt him real good. The antagonist stance fuel subsidy removal, abuse of human rights tyranny, economic hardship among many have all worsened some more under him given reports from world's regulatory agencies today.

@3. The current political anarchy, brigandage and gangsterism where APC thugs, miscreants, alayes, rascals are doing anti-democratic acts nationwide in support of a one-party/autocratic govt says it all. Besides, Tinubu, Akpabio, Opeyemi Bamidele have all been making inflammatory statements in this regard.

@4). Tinubu was never nominated as the best governor of Lagos State anywhere except Fashola at the same Time as Peter Obi. As for the records, ask those who nominate both of them as best governors of their time for the indices they used then. It will give you more clearer pictures of Peter Obi achievements.

A military dictator nominating a governor 🤣😂🤣. Where you from?

Hello! His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is the biggest and greatest thing happened to Lagos, Nigeria, Africa, world and Earth.

Know that and know peace.

TopBanter:
Obi is a waste of time. Guys, check out the reel below. It is from a Igbo female content creator fan of Tinubu. @BelindaUjuu.

Brilliant lady and far more intelligent than all Obidients on Nairaland. Especially those from the SE who merely want an Igbo Ptesidency.

Take one main message from the video "it takes power to confront power" and cabal plus entrenched systems.

Every Nigerian, if being completely truthful and sincere, know the Presidency is not Obi's level. Monsters everywhere needing taming and Obi's default setting is to flee always never confronting any.

Who and what has he built that will be his 'firewall',once President, that will assist him deliver needed reforms that will be resisted by monsters, cabal and entrenched systems Obi has alway fled from?

All positives Tinubu is achieving, including many the politically powerful North is vehemently against, is because Jagaban has "power to fight power".

Guys, please listen to the lady. You will understand most on NL just don't have a clue and are merely prejudiced.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EaXBq15hb/

Agreed Tinubu have the political war chest, no doubt about this because he was a street man, a dru.... so he knows how to confront monsters too.


But then, Tinubu uses his political war chest to fight for his personal gains, for his family gains, for Lagos gains and for some Yorubas and his political stooges/associates, he doesn't use his so called political war chest to fight for the benefit of all Nigerians, he fights for himself and his political gang, that will never take Nigeria anywhere better even if he rules for 50 years.


Besides you guys dont know the power a Nigerian President wields, Obi have fought battles tougher than the ones you thought Tinubu fought. Defeating Anambra dangerous political cabals as a Governor alone shows that Peter Obi is made of steel.


Tinubu have governed Nigeria already for 3 years plus and the result is so disastrous before all of us. Tinubu turned Nigeria upside down, a lot of Nigerians have died of economic hardship, insecurity, corruption in government, and a lot of productive Nigerians gathered all the monies they saved before Tinubu came to power to carry their families and fled abroad out of fear of facing Tinubu's disastrous regime, this include Yorubas that I have met outside Nigeria. That was why as soon as Tinubu was announced President, japa became one of the biggest trends and hottest topic in Nigeria. Tinubu just have to go so we can try someone else even if its not Obi, Tinubu is too old, too corrupt, too tribalistic, too arrogant, too mean and inconsiderate of the masses to continue as President.


Some of you supporting Tinubu that are not his political appointees are making a huge mistake because your life and that of your family and loved ones would have been far better than whatever it is today under this monster and his evil gang parading themselves as politicians, its so obvious na, u guys do make me feel like crying.



It's not hard for a sincere leader to transform Nigeria, it doesnt require 8 years or more, just foundational policies and exemplary leadership starting from the President, his family's conduct and more will reset Nigeria for good.



Look at how rule of law have died completely under Buhari and Tinubu's watch.


Look at how they have turned our election to something else, we need a complete electoral reform that will make Nigerian masses the true decider of who governs them and not some cabals or sharing of foods and money during election, Tinubu is not ready to do these things cos that is what brought him in and what has kept him and his evil political dynasty starting from Lagos state.



Make una have pity over Nigeria pls, this thing is beyond tribe, its for our collective good. I am a small company owner and I can tell you that companies and businesses have suffered most under Tinubu's failed regime than any other government in the history of Nigeria and its evident in the massive youth and graduate unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria today because employers are shutting down and those still in business are struggling to stay afloat because Nigerian people's purchasing power have been wiped out by Tinubu's voodoo economic policies

The issue with the Obidients is them making use of English words they don't understand.

Could you people define a threat? You mean Peter Obi that can't even define the duty of the position he's aspiring for is a threat to anyone

Obi must be a new order as he has never governed any state before

This tells the absolute story. All the criminals irrespective of political divide are worried Obi will end their criminal enterprise

TopBanter:
Obi is a waste of time. Guys, check out the reel below. It is from a Igbo female content creator fan of Tinubu. @BelindaUjuu.

Brilliant lady and far more intelligent than all Obidients on Nairaland. Especially those from the SE who merely want an Igbo Ptesidency.

Take one main message from the video "it takes power to confront power" and cabal plus entrenched systems.

Every Nigerian, if being completely truthful and sincere, know the Presidency is not Obi's level. Monsters everywhere needing taming and Obi's default setting is to flee always never confronting any.

Who and what has he built that will be his 'firewall',once President, that will assist him deliver needed reforms that will be resisted by monsters, cabal and entrenched systems Obi has alway fled from?

All positives Tinubu is achieving, including many the politically powerful North is vehemently against, is because Jagaban has "power to fight power".

Guys, please listen to the lady. You will understand most on NL just don't have a clue and are merely prejudiced.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EaXBq15hb/

Stick to your intelligent lady on Facebook and leave nairaland.. Dem tie your soul to this site?

helinues:
The issue with the Obidients is them making use of English words they don't understand.

Could you people define a threat? You mean Peter Obi that can't even define the duty of the position he's aspiring for is a threat to anyone

Obi must be a new order as he has never governed any state before

If Obi isn’t a threat, you and other APC political thugs would be discussing better governance in interviews instead of constantly discussing Peter Obi.

YungMike:
If Obi isn’t a threat, you and other APC political thugs would be discussing better governance in interviews instead of constantly discussing Peter Obi.

Those who attacked the Apc supporters In Enugu state and Imo state, are they political thugs or it's a sign that Apc is rejected?

LordIsaac:
Unfortunately, this is a contradiction as he is fully part of the old order.

That's a fair criticism to make, but it doesn't really contradict the point I made. Being part of the political system doesn't automatically mean someone is committed to preserving the old way of governance. My point was that Obi's proposed reforms: reducing the cost of governance, tightening financial controls, plugging leakages and shifting government toward production; could disrupt established interests if actually implemented. Whether he would deliver on that is a separate question, and that's exactly what Nigerians should scrutinise.

HacheNoire:
You nailed it with just a sentence! I duff my hat! 🫡

Like he not a part of those old caucus that ruined this country!

When His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) was in the forefront of the struggle for democracy, same Peter was in hot romance with Abacha.

Now he is telling us he is a saint!

😂 “Hot romance with Abacha” is a nice political phrase, but where is the evidence?

Obi has explained that, as a businessman, he and other traders met Abacha over the port-congestion crisis and were subsequently co-opted into a port-decongestion task force. He even released the 1996 appointment letter. That is a documented connection to the Abacha government, but it is not the same thing as being an Abacha political appointee or member of his government.

And if we're going to compare records from the Abacha era, let's compare the actual historical records, not turn a businessman meeting a military ruler over a business problem into “hot romance.”

You can criticise Obi's record all you want. But if the argument is that he was part of Abacha's political establishment, then show the evidence for that specific claim.

helinues:
Those who attacked the Apc supporters In Enugu state and Imo state, are they political thugs or it's a sign that Apc is rejected?

Those incidents should be condemned regardless of who was responsible. But that still doesn't address my point. I used “threat” in the political sense; if Obi wasn't a serious political challenge, why do APC supporters and officials spend so much time discussing him instead of their own record and plans for governance?

YungMike:
Those incidents should be condemned regardless of who was responsible. But that still doesn't address my point. I used “threat” in the political sense; if Obi wasn't a serious political challenge, why do APC supporters and officials spend so much time discussing him instead of their own record and plans for governance?

Apart from Benue which was a confrontation with Obi directly, the Delta state attack by Apc wasn't about Obi but political supporters. There is a NDC candidate using Obi's name to campaign