Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has reaffirmed her support for former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Ezekwesili said her assessment of Obi remained largely unchanged since the 2023 presidential election. She spoke on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on Monday, explaining that her preference was based on specific leadership standards rather than personal loyalty.
The former World Bank Vice President for Africa said she evaluated the major presidential candidates in 2023 according to their capacity to govern effectively. According to her, Obi scored higher than the other leading contenders based on those criteria. Ezekwesili said nothing significant had happened since then to alter her assessment.
She, however, cautioned against making the discussion solely about Obi or any individual politician. The former minister said her interest was in the leadership system and the qualities required to govern Nigeria effectively.
Ezekwesili also criticised what she described as the declining value placed on human life and dignity in Nigeria. She argued that the country’s governance structure had failed to adequately protect citizens and address their concerns.
According to her, Nigerians should reject the idea that the country’s current condition represents an unavoidable national destiny. She maintained that the situation was the product of choices and systems that could be changed. Ezekwesili urged citizens to become more involved in determining who occupies political offices.
The former minister challenged Nigerians to see elections as an opportunity to defend their own interests rather than merely choosing between political personalities. She urged citizens to vote for leaders who would genuinely represent their aspirations. Ezekwesili also called on capable Nigerians to enter politics and contest elections at the local, state and federal levels.
According to her, meaningful national transformation would require citizens to accept greater responsibility for the quality of leadership they choose. She maintained that changing Nigeria’s trajectory would require active participation from citizens rather than resignation to the country’s existing political circumstances.
