Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has officially kicked off his 2027 campaign with a promise to transition Nigeria from a consumption-based to a production-driven economy.
Speaking at a press conference at his Onitsha home to mark the start of the presidential and National Assembly campaigns, the former Anambra State governor highlighted key plans to address insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and failing healthcare and education systems.
Running alongside Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Obi declared that his administration will prioritize human capital development, local enterprise, and targeted investment.
“Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity. We will produce more of what we consume, process more of what we produce, and compete more effectively in global markets.
“I promised to prioritise agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries and services, while creating an environment in which businesses could invest, employ workers and expand without unnecessary regulatory and infrastructure constraints.
“I pledged to strengthen agriculture through improved security, irrigation, rural roads, storage facilities, access to finance and markets, while promoting manufacturing and agro-processing,” he said.
Obi identified poverty, food insecurity, internal displacement, unemployment, weak infrastructure, unreliable electricity, insecurity and the high cost of doing business as some of Nigeria’s major challenges.
He, however, argued that the country’s challenges could be overcome because Nigeria had the people, resources, market, talent and enterprise required to build a prosperous economy.
Obi’s economic plan also includes tighter accountability for public spending, with every naira spent by government expected to serve a clear purpose and major public investments subjected to measurable outcomes.
On security, Obi described insecurity as a major barrier to economic development, noting that Nigerians could not farm, travel, trade or operate businesses effectively when their safety was not guaranteed.
He proposed stronger intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, improved policing and border management, wider use of technology and lawful community-based systems for identifying threats early.
The presidential candidate also placed education and healthcare among the priorities of his proposed administration.
“We will improve basic education, strengthen universities, and expand technical and vocational training.”
He pledged to improve maternal and child healthcare, increase access to essential medicines and provide healthcare workers with the equipment needed to perform effectively.
According to Obi, Nigeria’s poor health indicators remain a major constraint on human-capital development and economic productivity.
His proposed development strategy would also allow each region to build on its economic strengths while contributing to a more productive national economy.
Obi said the North-West could expand agriculture, livestock, irrigation, agro-processing and manufacturing, while the North-East could focus on reconstruction alongside agriculture, education and enterprise.
“The North-Central could strengthen food production and processing while responsibly developing its mineral resources.
“Manufacturing, technology, finance, trade and the creative economy are the areas of strength for the South-West, while the South-East could build on its entrepreneurial and industrial base through better infrastructure, connectivity and access to investment.
“For the South-South, oil and gas, maritime services, fisheries and agriculture are areas with potential for greater value creation, alongside stronger environmental protection.
“Every region must produce. Every region must contribute. Every region must benefit,” he also said.
Obi challenged other presidential candidates to engage voters directly and subject their records, credentials and plans to public scrutiny.
He said he and Kwankwaso would personally take their campaign to Nigerians across the country, rather than rely on proxies, because candidates seeking the presidency should understand the realities facing the people they seek to govern.
He said: “No candidate should hide behind the high walls of power, send proxies or surrogates to the hustings, and expect Nigerians to entrust them with the leadership of the country.
“Every candidate seeking the presidency must have the courage to come before the people, answer their questions, defend their records, and subject their vision to public scrutiny.
“Leadership Requires Presence and Empathy. Genuine leadership required physical presence and empathy, a presidential candidate would not effectively lead communities without understanding their circumstances.
“True leadership requires presence and empathy. No one can lead from the front without standing with communities across Nigeria devastated by banditry, criminality, terrorism, and flooding.
“You cannot truly lead people you are unwilling to visit, listen to, and understand.”
Obi urged voters to assess the records and proposals of all candidates, ask difficult questions and demand evidence behind campaign promises.
He also called for an issue-based 2027 campaign, warning against the use of ethnicity, religion, propaganda, elitism and cronyism to influence voters.
He added: “Our campaign will focus on the urgent concerns of Nigerians and not on ethnicity or religion.
“Nigerians must reject and disregard any campaign driven by propaganda, ethnicity, religion, elitism, or cronyism.
“My ultimate objective is to unite the country, defeat insecurity, reduce poverty and hunger, tackle the problem of out-of-school children, improve education and healthcare and create an economy that works for all Nigerians.
“The campaign will mark the beginning of a journey to reset Nigeria by uniting the country, securing it and placing it on the path of inclusive economic growth. A New Nigeria is possible.”
Framing the election as a crucial evaluation of leadership, Obi said voters should weigh each candidate’s program and proven history against the country’s pressing economic and security issues.
His campaign message centered on a firm commitment – “Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work.”
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