Presidential aspirant Peter Obi has stated that leadership in Nigeria must be driven by compassion, not luxury or indifference. Speaking during an appearance on Sunday Politics, the former Anambra State governor emphasized that the office of the president comes with a moral obligation to serve selflessly—even to the point of personal sacrifice. “If your people are dying, you should be ready to die. The president should also be ready to die,” Obi declared, stressing that true leadership requires empathy and courage in the face of national crises.

Obi sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a lack of sensitivity to the suffering of Nigerians. He referenced the president’s decision to spend the 2024 Christmas holidays in Lagos rather than visiting Ibadan, where several children died during a stampede at a Christmas party. “There is no compassion,” Obi said. “People lost their children who will lead this country in the future, and he went on a Christmas holiday.” He also berated Tinubu’s handling of the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, saying the president’s excuse of bad roads and flooding for not visiting the affected community was unacceptable.

Addressing government spending, Obi condemned the Tinubu administration’s reported plans to acquire a new presidential jet, allegedly costing ₦150 billion. He argued that such extravagance is unjustifiable in a country where over 80% of primary healthcare centres are not functioning. “If I become president, I will use resources effectively. I don’t need one [a jet] because I can go anywhere without it,” he said. Reflecting on his time as governor, Obi added that he used a Peugeot 406 for four years and never rode in a bulletproof car. “Nobody will try to kill you if you do the right thing. It is when you do the wrong thing that you fear death,” he said.