At the heart of Nigerian politics, there’s often a tendency to judge national ambition by local performance. On October 4, 2025, George Akume, Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), asserted just that: if Peter Obi—the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra—couldn’t “rescue” Anambra State, then how could he possibly lead all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)?
It’s a bold accusation that lands heavily in a country where regional expectations, political loyalty, and performance narratives play central roles in shaping who’s seen as capable.
Akume’s critique whispers a deeper concern among many: does local governance truly prepare leaders for national rescue? And when is criticism legitimate, and when is it political spin?
What George Akume Said
Akume said that Peter Obi lacks the “capacity and capability” to become president because, according to him, Obi did not “rescue” Anambra State during his tenure as governor.
He contrasted Obi’s performance with what he perceives as better progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing GDP growth of 4.4%, among other metrics.
Akume argued that while people talk about “rescuing Nigeria,” this rescue must start closer home. His point: governing a single state successfully is the minimum benchmark before aspiring to lead the whole country.
Can Rescue Start with Home?
Akume’s argument is classic in politics: hold a candidate to local accountability before giving them national trust. It’s not a bad standard. But the danger lies in simplifying governance into rescue mythology, where one must be a perfect savior locally to be considered at the center.
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Leadership is messy. Success is partial. Failures are shared. What matters is whether the vision is matched with compassion, clarity, and accountability.
Whether Obi “rescued” Anambra may mean different things to different people—but what voters must decide is: can someone show that rescue can scale? And whether they believe him when he says he can.
