Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has promised that Nigerians will feel the impact of purposeful leadership within his first year in office if elected President.

Obi made the pledge in his Independence Day message on Thursday, where he said his government would make governance measurable, accountable and focused on the welfare of citizens.

He said Nigeria cannot be built by prayers and promises alone, but by leadership that sees public office as a sacred trust.

“My message today is not one of despair. It is a message of hope, determination and responsibility. I dare to proclaim with full assurance that a new Nigeria is possible,” Obi said.

“As President of Nigeria, I will make governance measurable, accountable and centred on the welfare and productivity of our people. Within the first year, Nigerians will begin to see the tangible impact of purposeful and effective leadership.”

The former Anambra State governor said tackling insecurity would be a top priority, so that farmers can return to their farms, children to school and businesses can operate without fear.

“We will confront insecurity decisively so that our farmers can return to their farms, our children can return to school, businesses can operate freely, and families can live without fear,” he said.

He also vowed to ensure that Nigerians displaced by insecurity can return to their communities with dignity, stressing that no citizen should be forced to live in an IDP camp due to government failure.

Obi further promised to shift Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to a productive one, driven by agriculture, manufacturing, job creation and human capital development.

He said education, healthcare, security and enterprise would be treated as the foundation of national development, not luxuries.

Recounting his recent visit to an IDP camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto metropolis with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Obi said the conditions of displaced women and children there reflect the suffering in many parts of the country.

He blamed the country’s woes not on lack of resources, but on failure to convert resources into human development, security and shared prosperity, citing poverty, out-of-school children, hunger, insecurity and youth unemployment.

Obi also promised to lead by example, saying he would spend his holidays in different states across Nigeria instead of travelling abroad.

“As I have always done, I will lead by example. In four years as President, I will not spend my holidays outside Nigeria. My holidays will be spent in Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti and other Nigerian states,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to demand accountability and work together to build a secure, united and productive nation.

SOURCE: CHANNELS NEWS