Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has said that entrenched corruption remains the biggest obstacle to Nigeria’s development, insisting that the country must confront the problem to achieve meaningful progress.
Obi stated this on Tuesday during a town hall meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, held as part of his nationwide engagement with Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election.
Before the meeting, Obi paid a courtesy visit to the Maigari of Lokoja, His Royal Highness Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, whom he thanked for receiving him despite the short notice.
According to Obi, the traditional ruler shared the rich history of Lokoja, including the Holy Trinity Primary School established in 1865 by Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther and Anglican missionaries, regarded as the oldest primary school in Northern Nigeria, as well as the famous Iron of Liberty monument.
Reflecting on the visit, Obi said, “The Holy Trinity Primary School reminded me that, 161 years after its establishment, Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. It is concerning that we have not done enough to preserve these legacies or build on the foundations laid by those who came before us.”
He added, “At the ‘Iron of Liberty,’ I was reminded of the historic collaboration between missionaries and the authorities in the struggle to end the slave trade in Nigeria.”
The former Anambra State governor said the visit strengthened his resolve to promote domestic tourism, noting that Kogi State and Nigeria possess enormous tourism potential that remains largely untapped.
At the town hall meeting, Obi said discussions centred on corruption, agriculture, tourism, the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company and other national issues affecting the country’s development.
He maintained, “Endemic, entrenched and institutional corruption remains at the core of many of the challenges confronting Nigeria today and must be decisively addressed.”
Obi also reaffirmed his vision for the country, saying, “I reiterated my commitment to uniting and securing our country around a common purpose: investing in health and education, strengthening our productive capacity and pulling our people out of pervasive poverty.”
As part of the visit, Obi met a business owner whose shopping complex was recently destroyed by fire and later interacted with traders at Kpata Market, where they complained about rising prices and declining patronage caused by reduced purchasing power.
He thanked residents, party members, candidates and organisers of the Lokoja town hall meeting for what he described as a warm reception and productive engagement.
The presidential candidate has continued his nationwide town hall meetings since emerging as the NDC flag bearer, using the platform to present his vision for governance while engaging directly with citizens on issues affecting their daily lives.
