By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Group under the auspices of Peter Obi Movement for Rescue (POMR) has rejected the assertion by former Labour Party presidential running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, that no individual, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, can rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.
POMR spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, in a statement on Monday, said while Datti’s comment reflected the depth of frustration over Nigeria’s worsening systemic problems, it was not supported by what he described as Peter Obi’s record in public office.
Zekeri acknowledged that Nigeria was facing serious challenges after years of what he described as mismanagement, corruption, waste and poor leadership, which he said had weakened public institutions and placed enormous burdens on citizens.
He, however, argued that the severity of the country’s problems made it even more important for Nigerians to distinguish between political promises and demonstrated leadership capacity.
According to him, Obi’s approach to governance was not an experiment, as his record as Anambra State governor provided evidence of what could be achieved with limited resources when public office was treated as a responsibility rather than an avenue for personal enrichment.
He said Obi demonstrated fiscal discipline, prioritised education, healthcare and human development, invested in critical infrastructure and reduced waste during his tenure.
Zekeri said the central question was not whether one individual could “magically rescue Nigeria”, stressing that no leader could do so alone, but whether Nigerians could elect a leader with the character, competence, prudence and courage required to begin the process of national recovery.
He said POMR believed Obi possessed the qualities needed to lead such a process.
“Peter Obi does not approach Nigeria’s challenges as an experiment. His record in Anambra provides evidence of what he can do with limited resources when public office is treated as a responsibility rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment,” he said.
The POMR spokesman said an Obi-led administration would focus on building strong institutions, assembling competent Nigerians, confronting corruption, cutting waste, investing in production and restoring public confidence in government.
Zekeri also dismissed the idea of Obi as a “fake messiah”, saying Nigeria did not need a miracle worker but a leader who understood that public resources represented public trust.
“Peter Obi has demonstrated that understanding before. The task in 2027 is to allow him to demonstrate it at the national level,” he said.
He maintained that Nigeria could be rescued, arguing that Obi could lead the process not because he claimed to possess magical powers, but because his record demonstrated an ability to turn limited resources into measurable results.
“So, yes, Nigeria can be rescued. And Peter Obi can lead that rescue — not because he claims to be a miracle worker, but because his record shows that he knows how to turn limited resources into measurable results,” Zekeri said.
He therefore highlighted that “With O-K, Nigeria is rescueable.”
