Obi vows to make political leaders seek treatment in Nigeria

ASABA — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has vowed to ensure political office holders seek medical treatment in Nigeria if elected President.

Obi also promised to spend his holidays in Nigeria, saying he would promote the use of domestic facilities and local destinations rather than travel abroad for vacations.

He spoke on Thursday in Asaba, Delta State, during the inauguration of the NDC secretariat in the state.

Obi said his administration would prioritise the development of Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensure that political leaders use local medical facilities.

He said: “We will ensure that those of them who are in power must seek medical care here. Anybody that will go abroad will be for referral.”

The former Anambra State governor also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s extended stay abroad, saying Nigerian leaders should remain more connected to the country and its challenges.

According to Obi, “Today, our President is in France. He went for three weeks and he has spent more than three weeks.”

He added: “As President of Nigeria, all my holidays will be in Nigeria. I will go to Agbor for holiday; I will go to Warri for holidays, not France.”

The Presidency had said Tinubu’s stay in France formed part of his working vacation and that he remained in contact with officials at home while away.

Obi, however, said his administration would “fix” the healthcare system and make it functional for Nigerians.

He also lamented what he described as the neglect of the Niger Delta despite the region’s contribution to the nation’s economy.

“One thing that I can assure you is that the days you don’t see the impact of your wealth is gone. Niger Delta must see the impact of the wealth it is creating for the nation,” he said.

Obi also criticised the condition of the East-West Road and other federal roads in the region.

“You cannot pass anywhere in the Niger Delta, yet they are producing the wealth the country shares every month,” he said.

He promised that an NDC administration would change the situation through what he described as transparent management of public resources.

“We will ensure that this will change and it will change by the way we manage the resources; it will change because we are going to be transparent. We will tell you where every penny is going to,” Obi said.