Peter Obi Vows to Spend Sallah in Sokoto if Elected President

By Gabriel Atumeyi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to spend Sallah in Sokoto if elected President in 2027, saying he would celebrate the Islamic festival with the Sultan of Sokoto.

Obi made the pledge during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, where he spoke on the state of the nation, insecurity, fuel prices, corruption and his plans if elected president.

The former Anambra State governor criticised President Bola Tinubu’s frequent foreign trips, insisting that a Nigerian president must spend his vacation within the country.

“Nigerian president must spend his vacation in Nigeria. He should go on vacation in Zamfara, in Borno, in Anambra,” Obi said.

He added that, as president, he would visit northern Nigeria and identify with its people during important cultural and religious occasions.

“As president, I will go to Sokoto and spend Sallah with the Sultan,” he declared.

Obi also said he sometimes believes President Tinubu is not fully in charge of his administration, urging him to address Nigerians personally instead of relying on aides and appointees.

“Sometimes I believe Tinubu is not in charge. All these things that his people are talking, he should be the one talking,” Obi said.

“Nobody will talk for Peter Obi. I will talk to my people,” he added.

He urged the President to spend three days visiting states affected by insecurity, including Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau and Kano, to personally assess the situation.

Obi identified insecurity as the most pressing challenge facing Nigerians, saying it had severely affected economic activities across the country.

“Security is the most important thing for Nigerians. It has made it impossible for manufacturers to move their goods. Insecurity has made it impossible for farmers to go to farm,” he said.

He promised to appoint capable security chiefs in his first week in office and expressed support for state police, vowing not to negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom.

Obi also appealed to voters in Northern Nigeria, saying his administration would prioritise poverty reduction, healthcare and skills development.

“If there is any president the North should celebrate, it’s me. I will deal with poverty, health, skills. I will deal with the North and they will like it,” he said.