Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has formally flagged off his campaign for the 2027 presidential election, promising to tackle insecurity, revive the economy and move Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to one focused on production.
In a nationwide address on Friday to mark the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, Obi said Nigeria was facing severe economic and security challenges but insisted that the country could overcome them through disciplined leadership and responsible governance.
The former Anambra State governor, who is contesting alongside his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said millions of Nigerians were battling poverty, hunger, unemployment and insecurity, describing the situation as unacceptable.
According to him, his administration would prioritise agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation while ensuring prudent management of public resources.
Obi said his experience in both the private sector and public office had prepared him to lead the country, adding that his record in Anambra State demonstrated the importance of investing in education, healthcare, infrastructure and fiscal discipline.
He also praised Kwankwaso's record as governor of Kano State, saying both leaders shared a commitment to human capital development and responsible governance.
On security, Obi pledged to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve coordination among security agencies, decentralise security management and deploy technology to combat crime while supporting lawful community-based security initiatives.
He stressed that restoring security was essential for agriculture, education, commerce and investment to thrive.
The presidential candidate also promised to create an enabling environment for businesses by reducing regulatory bottlenecks, improving infrastructure and supporting entrepreneurs to expand operations and create jobs.
He said every region of the country would be encouraged to maximise its economic potential through investments tailored to their comparative advantages.
Obi maintained that Nigeria's large youth population should be seen as an asset rather than a burden, promising to expand access to quality education, vocational training and skills development.
He equally pledged to strengthen primary healthcare, improve maternal and child health services and ensure wider access to essential medicines.
Calling for issue-based campaigns, Obi urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records and programmes of all presidential candidates instead of voting along ethnic or religious lines.
He said democracy should be built on ideas, accountability and respect for the will of the people, while warning against violence and divisive politics during the electioneering period.
Obi also challenged presidential candidates to personally engage with voters across the country rather than relying on proxies, insisting that leadership requires direct interaction with citizens and empathy for their struggles.
Reaffirming his campaign slogan, he declared that "A New Nigeria is Possible," expressing confidence that the country could achieve lasting peace, inclusive economic growth and national unity under competent leadership.
