Peter Obi has said he can rule Nigeria from Kaduna if elected president.

Mr Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate who defected to the African Democratic Congress coalition in 2025, stated on Sunday during a meeting with ADC stakeholders in Kaduna.

Speaking at the gathering, Mr Obi said, “Abuja to Kaduna is less than two hours; so nothing stops a president who’s in Abuja to drive down to Kaduna for a meeting and stay there for a day or two and go back to Abuja. In fact, I can actually serve Nigeria from Kaduna, without a single problem.”

In follow-up posts on social media, Mr Obi said his interaction with key political actors in Kaduna reinforced his belief in the possibility of rebuilding Nigeria through purposeful leadership.

He noted that the visit provided him an opportunity to engage party chieftains and assess the political mood in the state.

“Today, as part of my nationwide consultations, I visited Kaduna state, where I met with our party stakeholders and members, including Dr Ahmed Tijjani, a gubernatorial hopeful, and Senator Lawal Adamu, who represents Kaduna Central,” Mr Obi stated.

He noted that he observed genuine commitment among the stakeholders to serve the people and contribute meaningfully to national progress.

“What I observed in them was not just political ambition but a sincere desire to serve the people and contribute to the rebuilding of our country,” Mr Obi said.

While lamenting that Kaduna had lost some of its past glory, he described the state as a historic symbol of unity and coexistence in Nigeria, recalling its past as a major hub for industry, agriculture, and commerce.

“Kaduna remains a very strategic state in Nigeria. It was once a symbol of our unity and coexistence, a major hub for industry, agriculture, and commerce, and it still holds that potential.

“With disciplined, competent, and people-oriented leadership, we can restore that lost glory for the benefit of all,” Mr Obi noted.

The politician also restated the need to rebuild trust and unity among citizens, warning that societal divisions pose a major obstacle to development.

“Equally important is the need to rekindle the spirit of unity and coexistence for which Kaduna was once known. A divided society cannot progress, but a united, just, and inclusive one will always find a path to peace and development,” he said.

As part of his ongoing political consultation, Mr Obi also visited former governor Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso on Sunday in Kano, where he met with members of the Kwakwansiya movement.