Akande tackles Peter Obi over silence on election manifesto

The former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has criticised Peter Obi over his failure to publicly unveil his manifesto roughly two months earlier than the 2027 presidential election.

Akande expressed concern over what he described as the dearth of seriousness amongst Nigerian politicians in documenting and speaking their coverage proposals to the citizens forward of elections.

He made the remarks on Wednesday whereas showing as a visitor on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the place he questioned why Obi, recognized within the report because the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had but to current a complete manifesto outlining his plans for the nation.

According to Akande, Nigerians ought to fairly count on presidential candidates to make their coverage positions and governing agenda identified to the general public earlier than looking for their votes.

He argued that manifestos remained necessary devices by way of which voters can perceive candidates’ priorities, assess their proposed insurance policies and maintain them accountable if elected into workplace.

The former presidential aide, nonetheless, maintained that the accountability for bringing about political change shouldn’t relaxation solely on particular person politicians.

He urged Nigerians to desert the expectation {that a} explicit political determine would emerge to rescue the nation from its challenges.

Akande confused that significant political transformation should start on the grassroots degree, urging residents to organise themselves inside their communities, wards and native authorities areas to find out the type of management they need.

He additional noticed that people and teams benefiting from the prevailing political association could have little motivation to assist modifications that might disrupt the system.

According to him, Nigerians shouldn’t depend upon current political establishments to provoke the reforms they want, notably when these controlling the establishments are snug with the present association.

Akande consequently known as on residents to turn out to be extra actively concerned within the political course of, stressing the significance of grassroots mobilisation and mass participation throughout elections.

He maintained that voters should end up in vital numbers on election day, noting that lively participation is important to making sure that their votes are counted and their selections mirrored within the electoral end result.

He emphasised that Nigerians should take higher accountability for figuring out their political future fairly than ready for a single particular person to convey in regards to the change they want.