Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has said he would take direct responsibility for the fight against corruption if elected president, insisting that effective leadership requires the president to be “in charge.”
Obi made the statement in a recent BBC interview while discussing the challenges faced by previous administrations in tackling corruption.
Speaking about former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Obi said: “He was not in charge. The difference is this: I will be in charge.”
He said his approach to fighting corruption would begin with the conduct of the president and members of the presidential family.
According to Obi, leadership at the highest level must set the standard for how public resources are managed and how government officials conduct themselves.
He argued that government officials would be more likely to observe accountability and transparency when the president and those closest to him demonstrate the same standards.
Obi said being “in charge” should involve taking responsibility for the activities of government, monitoring the use of public funds and holding ministers and other officials accountable for their performance.
He also linked his position to earlier statements on his proposed approach to governance, including his Independence Day message in which he said his administration would make governance measurable and accountable.
Obi has also said that Nigerians would begin to see tangible results within his first year in office if he is elected.
His comments come as political parties and presidential hopefuls begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who are associated with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have continued to feature in discussions about possible political alignments ahead of the election.
The former Anambra governor’s comments also raise questions about how a future administration would monitor public procurement, ensure transparency in government spending and hold public officials accountable.
Nigeria has several laws and institutions established to combat corruption, including mechanisms for investigating and prosecuting alleged financial misconduct. The effectiveness of those measures and their enforcement has remained a recurring issue in public debates about governance.
Obi’s latest remarks place presidential responsibility at the centre of his argument on corruption and governance.
He said his approach would be based on leadership from the top, with the president taking responsibility for ensuring that government operates according to established rules and standards.
The 2027 presidential contest is expected to bring renewed attention to the candidates’ positions on corruption, public spending, institutional accountability and the management of government resources.
