A former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria needs a leader with the ability to create and manage wealth effectively.
Obi made the remark while reacting to comments earlier made by Rabiu Kwankwaso during a 2023 appearance at Chatham House in London, where the former Kano State governor said he was more qualified to lead Nigeria because he holds a PhD.
Kwankwaso, who was the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, is now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside Obi.
Speaking during an interview on News Central’s 60 Minutes with Kay on Thursday, Obi acknowledged Kwankwaso’s credentials and political exposure but maintained that the country currently requires a leader with proven experience in wealth creation.
“Qualification is a viewpoint and it depends on where you are coming from. Kwankwaso said he was more qualified because he has a PhD, which isn’t bad. I don’t have a PhD,” Obi said.
“He has some experience, he’s exposed. He was a minister. There’s no doubt about that. I don’t think his statement was incorrect, but right now, Nigeria needs someone who can create wealth and manage it effectively.”
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The former Labour Party presidential candidate also defended his business background, saying his entrepreneurial journey sets him apart from other political figures in the country.
“I have created well-known businesses starting from the ground up both locally and around the world,” he added.
“No one today, not even the president, can say they’ve gone through what I’ve gone through.”