The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has acknowledged that Nigeria is currently facing deep-seated challenges but maintained that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has the capacity and experience to lead the country’s recovery if elected president in 2027.
POMR was reacting to recent comments by former Labour Party presidential candidate running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who reportedly said that no individual, including Obi, could single-handedly rescue Nigeria from its multifaceted problems.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, POMR said Datti-Baba Ahmed’s position was understandable given the scale of the challenges confronting the country, but argued that it should not be interpreted as evidence that Nigeria could not be rescued through competent leadership.
The group said years of what it described as mismanagement, corruption, waste and poor leadership had weakened the country’s institutions and placed an enormous burden on Nigerians.
However, it said the severity of the challenges made it more important for citizens to distinguish between political promises and proven administrative capacity.
“Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed’s suggestion that not even Peter Obi can rescue Nigeria is understandable as an expression of frustration, but it is not a conclusion supported by the facts,” the statement said.
POMR argued that Obi would not be approaching the country’s problems as an experiment, pointing to his record as governor of Anambra State as evidence of his ability to manage public resources.
“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,” it said.
According to the organisation, Obi demonstrated fiscal discipline during his tenure and prioritised education, healthcare and human development while investing in critical infrastructure and reducing government waste.
It added that his record continued to generate discussions and scrutiny years after he left office.
POMR said the fundamental question before Nigerians was not whether one individual could single-handedly or magically solve every problem facing the country.
“Therefore, the question is not whether one individual can magically rescue Nigeria. No individual can. The question is whether Nigeria can elect a leader with the character, competence, prudence, and courage to begin the rescue,” it said.
The group said it believed Obi possessed the qualities required to commence such a national rescue effort.
It stressed, however, that an Obi presidency would not be based on the expectation that he could solve the country’s problems alone.
“He will not do it alone. He will do it by building strong institutions, assembling competent Nigerians, confronting corruption, cutting waste, investing in production, and restoring confidence in government,” the statement added.
POMR also rejected what it described as the politics of presenting political leaders as “messiahs,” arguing that Nigeria needed responsible leadership anchored on accountability and prudent management of public resources.
“Nigeria does not need a fake messiah. It needs leadership that understands that public money is public trust,” the organisation said.
It maintained that Obi had demonstrated such an understanding while serving as governor of Anambra State, insisting that the 2027 election would provide an opportunity for him to apply his experience at the national level.
“The task in 2027 is to allow him to demonstrate it at the national level,” POMR said.
The group further argued that Nigeria remained capable of overcoming its current difficulties and that Obi’s potential to lead the process was based on his antecedents rather than claims of possessing extraordinary powers.
“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,” it said.
POMR concluded with its campaign slogan, saying: “With O-K, Nigeria is rescueable.”