Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, has said he and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, used a town hall meeting in Kaduna to engage directly with citizens on the challenges confronting Nigeria.

Obi disclosed this in a post on his Facebook page following the meeting, which he said was organised by the party as part of its series of engagements with citizens.

According to him, the Kaduna town hall followed a similar engagement recently held in Port Harcourt.

Obi said he attended the meeting with Kwankwaso and other party candidates after visiting the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute in Rigachikun, Kaduna.

He said the engagement provided an opportunity for the political leaders to listen to citizens’ concerns, answer questions and receive contributions on critical national issues.

Obi said they reassured participants of their commitment to national unity, poverty reduction, investment in healthcare and education, as well as efforts to tackle insecurity.

He said the objective was to create conditions that would enable Nigerians displaced by insecurity to safely return to their homes, communities and farms.

The former governor also said the meeting addressed corruption and inefficiencies associated with the fuel subsidy regime, as well as the need to reduce the burden of fuel costs on Nigerians.

According to Obi, the country also needs an economy capable of enabling citizens to live decent and dignified lives.

He urged other political actors to engage directly with citizens and listen to their concerns.

“Let me use this opportunity once again to call on our opponents to also speak directly with the people and listen to their feedback,” Obi said.

He added: “The very essence of democracy is people-centred governance. Leaders and aspiring leaders must therefore leave their comfort zones and interface directly with the people they seek to serve.”

Obi thanked the party leadership and organisers of the town hall, while commending Kaduna residents for what he described as their commitment to supporting leadership that listens to their concerns.

He concluded with the campaign slogan: “A New Nigeria is Possible, and Nigeria will be OK.” (Vanguard)