Peter Obi has declared that true leadership demands sacrifice—even to the point of death—if the people are suffering. Speaking during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on July 6, 2025, the Labour Party presidential hopeful issued a scathing critique of the Tinubu administration, accusing it of being disconnected from the pain of ordinary Nigerians.
He dismissed the justification for luxurious spending by government officials, stating that he would never approve the purchase of a new presidential jet in a nation where “80% of primary healthcare centres are not functioning.” According to Obi, such extravagance insults millions of Nigerians who can’t access basic healthcare or education.
Referencing reports that the current administration is planning to acquire another presidential aircraft valued at over ₦150 billion, Obi said it exposes a lack of empathy. “I don’t need a jet. I can travel anywhere without one. Governance is not about comfort—it’s about sacrifice,” he said.
The former Anambra governor emphasized that leadership should not be a shield from the people’s suffering, but a position of shared hardship and responsibility. “If your people are dying, you should be ready to die. The president should also be ready to die,” he declared during the prime-time broadcast, which has since gone viral across social platforms.
Obi recalled his time as governor from 2006 to 2014, stating he drove a Peugeot 406 for his first four years and never used a bulletproof vehicle. “Nobody wants to kill a leader who is doing the right thing. You only fear death when you’re exploiting the people,” he added, calling for a culture of transparency, humility, and accountability in governance.
He further warned that Nigeria’s biggest crisis is not corruption alone, but a complete absence of conscience in public service. “The system is designed for leaders to live large while the nation bleeds. We need a total reset,” Obi said, echoing demands for political reform ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi’s comments come amid rising economic hardship, with inflation hitting 34% in May 2025 and the naira sliding to ₦1,850/$ on the parallel market. His message of austerity, service, and shared sacrifice is gaining traction among young Nigerians, many of whom believe the political elite has lost touch with the realities on the ground.
