By Nathaniel Irobi
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed to end medical tourism by political office holders, pledging that public officials will receive treatment within Nigeria if he is elected president in 2027, except where overseas care is necessary through referral.
Obi made the commitment on Thursday at the inauguration of the NDC secretariat in Asaba, Delta State, where he also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from the country, linking it to what he described as the worsening condition of the nation.
The former Anambra State governor said he would spend his holidays within Nigeria rather than travelling abroad, and would make it a policy for political office holders to seek medical care at home rather than flying out for treatment.
“Today, our President is in France. He went for three weeks and he has spent more than three weeks,” Obi said.
“He is in France and people are dying in Nigeria.
“As President of Nigeria if voted, all my holidays will be in Nigeria. I will go to Agbor for holiday; I will go to Warri for holidays, not France.
“We will ensure that those of them who are in power seek medical care here. Anybody that will go abroad will be for referral.”
Obi said an administration under his leadership would focus on rebuilding Nigeria’s healthcare system so that it can properly serve both citizens and those in public office.
He also raised concerns over the condition of the East-West Road and other federal roads across the region, arguing that the area contributes significantly to the nation’s wealth without receiving adequate infrastructure in return.
“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,” he said.
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