Obi Urges Nigerians to Choose Leaders Based on Competence, Not Tribe

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has renewed calls for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s approach to leadership, urging citizens to vote based on competence, not tribe or religion.

In a statement shared Monday via X and titled “What Cannot Be Hidden in Leadership,” Obi argued that leadership must be anchored on four core values namely; Competence, Capacity, Character, and Compassion, if the country is to move forward.

“Where these four are non-existent, there is no magic you can do,” he said, stressing that Nigeria’s current state is a reflection of poor leadership choices rooted in ethnic and religious bias.

Obi warned that ignoring these values has resulted in unresponsive governance, citing tragic events such as the Benue and Niger State massacres, which, he said, were met with indifference from the presidency.

He contrasted Nigeria’s leadership style with global standards, pointing to leaders in India and South Africa who showed immediate presence and empathy in times of national tragedy.

“Here in Nigeria, we have normalised leadership without empathy, without accountability, and without a human face,” Obi lamented.

He concluded by asserting that what the country needs is not just another president, but a leader who embodies the 4 Cs.