The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said a Nigerian president should spend vacations within the country rather than travelling abroad, arguing that such periods should provide opportunities to engage directly with citizens.
Obi made the statement during an interview while outlining his approach to leadership and national unity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to the former Anambra State governor, a Nigerian president should use vacation periods to visit different parts of the country, particularly communities facing insecurity, poverty and other social challenges.
“Nigerian president must spend his vacation in Nigeria. He should go on vacation in Zamfara, in Borno, in Anambra,” Obi said.
He said such an approach would enable the President to experience conditions in different regions firsthand rather than governing solely from Abuja.
Obi specifically mentioned states such as Zamfara and Borno, which have experienced prolonged security challenges, as places where the President should spend time and engage with residents.
He also included Anambra, highlighting the need for the nation's leadership to maintain a presence across different regions rather than being concentrated in the Federal Capital Territory.
Obi further said that, if elected president, he would prioritise engagements that promote national unity and strengthen relationships with traditional and religious leaders.
“As president, I will go to Sokoto and spend Sallah with the Sultan,” he said.
The statement reflects Obi's broader emphasis on national integration, particularly his argument that the presidency should be accessible to Nigerians from different regions and communities.
His proposed approach would see the President spending more time outside Abuja and directly engaging communities, stakeholders and traditional institutions.
Obi has repeatedly argued that effective leadership requires direct engagement with Nigerians, especially communities affected by insecurity and displacement.
He has also linked insecurity to economic challenges, saying farmers, traders and manufacturers cannot operate effectively when communities and transportation routes are unsafe.
His latest comments therefore place physical presence and direct engagement at the centre of his proposed leadership style ahead of the 2027 election.
The NDC candidate said the presidency should not be isolated from the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians, arguing that leaders must understand the conditions in which citizens live before developing policies to address their problems.
With the 2027 election approaching, Obi's comments add to his campaign message of a more hands-on presidency focused on national unity, accountability and direct engagement with communities across Nigeria.
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