Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has warned Nigerians not to hand over the governance of the country to a “sick man” in next month’s election. 

“This country is sick and should not be handed over to a sick person. I am not saying that anyone is sick.

“We have been here for over two hours, we don’t want people who can’t stand for 30 minutes,” Mr Obi said in Enugu on Thursday. 

The LP candidate did not mention any name, however, it was obvious he was referring to Bola Tinubu, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Tinubu is believed to have health concerns, and has been seen fumbling at public events, leading Nigerians to doubt his fitness for the top political job. 

Speaking during an interactive session at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Mr Obi said the next president of Nigeria must have two attributes of character and trust. 

He explained that next month’s election must also be based on competence and physical and mental energy. He said that these were the requirements to lead a nation like Nigeria. 

“In the United States during elections, they go for debates. Somebody once asked Barack Obama questions that were personal and he answered. 

“But here in Nigeria, somebody wants to contest elections, we don’t know his real age, we don’t know his name, we don’t know the schools he attended. Nobody knows his real identity and he is pushing to lead everybody,” the LP candidate added. 

Messrs Obi and Tinubu would be joining 16 other candidates in the February 25 presidential election. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that the election would still be conducted despite fears that the poll might be marred by security challenges bedeviling the country.