Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has challenged Nigerians to prioritize four critical qualities - competence, capacity, character, and compassion (the 4 Cs) - when choosing leaders in 2027. His statement comes amid outrage over recent massacres in Benue and Niger states where over 400 Nigerians were killed without presidential visits.
- Obi cited recent massacres in Benue and Niger floods as evidence of Nigeria’s empathy deficit.
- Criticised national leadership for ignoring victims and failing to visit affected communities.
- Called for a shift away from voting based on tribe and religion.
- Advocated for leadership that values life and takes responsibility in crises.
“Leadership must be rooted in integrity… Without compassion, human lives are just statistics.” Obi's intervention reframes Nigeria's leadership crisis as a quality control problem. His 4Cs mirror global leadership standards yet highlight Nigeria's peculiar gaps, where ceremonial governance replaces compassionate service. The Benue/Niger tragedies become case studies in "compassion deficit disorder" among current leaders. While theoretically simple, implementing this framework faces Nigeria's entrenched clientelism and identity politics. As citizens increasingly demand substance over symbolism, 2027 may become Nigeria's first "competence election."
