On the 16th of January, 2023, the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Gregory Obi, was at the Chatham, London to address his promises concerning the upcoming presidential election slated for the 25th February, 2023.

We would use merit to employ, dramatically reduce poverty and return Nigeria to a place of strategic relevance with high value.

He had this to say about the ongoing ethnic crisis: “I condemn all agitators, but in condemning them, you have to look at what brought about these agitations all over the place. Not only IPOB. We have (the) Yoruba Nation movement and all sorts. When you have created this level of massive poverty where 63 per cent of your population is poor, you’re going to create all sorts of problems.” “We will facilitate stronger institutions, a key anchor that will turn Nigeria from a country of oil consumption to a country that produces based on fast factors”.

Insecurity is a result of ineffective security strategy, address this by projecting strong leadership, state security and pursue a robust reform of security sector.

To counter this problem, he promised to tackle the structure that led to the massive  poverty in Nigeria. He said,  ‘Let me assure you of what we’ve been campaigning on. You have heard them say we don’t have structure; that is the structure we are trying to destroy — structure of criminality.” He added, “That is what I’ve mentioned that Nigeria has been held captive. That structure that has impoverished Nigeria, we will dismantle it. It will not be there; I assure you of that.”

“Emphasise from consumption to production which is driven by agrarian revolution and export industrialisation, build dams for export and revenue generation”

Borrowing must be for productive purposes, not consumption…enhance human capital development in our youths through investment in education, research and quality health

Peter obi also said the following during the interview;

• On education development, “Pursue a compulsory technical education, digital skills from primary to secondary level, prioritise funding of the artificial sector, data science and blockchain. Our higher institutions will be renovated as research centres”
• “I will conduct an Afro-centric policy that will protect the rights of Nigerians abroad, advance the rights of Nigerians businesses abroad”
• “The problem of Nigeria is based on complex leadership… lead Nigeria for an inclusive and sustaining Nigeria that works for all”
• “Nigeria’s resources will be most prudently used for Nigeria”
• “As commander in Chief of Nigeria, I pledge our part to pursue policies that sustain inclusive growth and development”
• “If I am elected president, people will be proud to use the green passport again”.

Additionally, he had this to say concerning the dilapidated state of the country’s power sector: “Going to turn around the power sector — Nigeria generates about five to six thousand megawatts of electricity for 200 million people. And South Africa, the second biggest in terms of economy on the continent — 60 million people — generates about 40,000 to 50,000, and South-Africa in the past three months has declared emergency on power and said anybody can generate up to 100 megawatts without licence.

“So, somebody who is 60 million, generating about over 40,000, declared emergency, what do you think somebody with 200 million people generating five to six thousand would do? War.”

“I’m going to declare war on power and I will solve it. Anybody who stands in the way, so be it.”