ABUJA — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged all candidates seeking the nation’s highest office in the 2027 general election to present their credentials, defend their records and subject their policies and plans to public scrutiny.
Obi made the call on Wednesday during a press conference held at his GRA residence in Onitsha, Anambra State, to formally kick-start his party’s 2027 presidential campaign.
The former Anambra State governor said Nigerians deserved candidates who would engage directly with citizens, answer questions about their past performances and clearly explain how they intend to address the country’s pressing challenges.
He said genuine leadership required courage, accountability, empathy and the willingness to interact directly with the people.
“Every candidate that seeks the presidency must have the courage to come before the people, answer their questions, defend their records and subject their vision to public scrutiny,” Obi said.
He added that leaders could not effectively govern from a distance, particularly when dealing with communities affected by insecurity, flooding and other disasters.
“True leadership requires presence and empathy. No one can lead from the front without standing with the communities across Nigeria devastated by banditry, criminality, terrorism or flooding. You cannot truly lead a people you are unwilling to visit, listen to and understand,” he said.
Obi, Kwankwaso Promise Direct Engagement With Nigerians
Obi said he and his running mate, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, would take their campaign directly to Nigerians rather than rely solely on political proxies.
According to him, the campaign would prioritise listening to citizens, understanding their concerns and presenting practical solutions to the challenges confronting the country.
He said the 2027 election should be determined by competence, capacity and character rather than ethnic or religious considerations.
“The 2027 election must be guided by competence, capacity, compassion, character and commitment. Our campaign will focus on urgent concerns of Nigerians and not on ethnicity or religion,” he said.
Obi also urged Nigerians to reject political campaigns based on propaganda, ethnic sentiments and religious divisions.
He said the country urgently needed leaders capable of tackling insecurity, poverty, hunger, unemployment and the rising number of out-of-school children, while also improving education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
Citizens Must Demand Accountability
The former Anambra governor further called on Nigerians to assess whether their living conditions had improved under the current administration and to demand accountability from elected officials.
He stressed that citizens’ responsibilities did not end after casting their ballots during elections.
“Democracy does not end on election day. Citizens must continue to demand transparency, accountability and resolve from those entrusted with the mandate to govern,” he said.
Obi said his administration, if elected, would begin what he described as a “journey of resetting Nigeria” by focusing on national unity, security and inclusive economic growth.
He said the country must move away from an economy driven largely by consumption and imports towards one centred on production and investment.
“I commit to commencing the journey of resetting Nigeria by uniting it, securing it, on the path of economic and inclusive growth and moving our country from consumption to production,” Obi said.
Production-Centred Economic Agenda
Outlining his economic priorities, Obi identified insecurity, poverty, food insecurity, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity and the high cost of doing business as some of the major challenges confronting Nigeria.
He, however, maintained that the country possessed sufficient natural resources and human capital to overcome its difficulties if properly managed.
Obi said his economic agenda would prioritise production, investment, enterprise and human capital development, with agriculture, manufacturing, agro-processing, technology and energy occupying key positions.
He also promised measures aimed at improving security for farmers, expanding infrastructure, increasing access to finance and markets, strengthening public financial management and creating a more favourable environment for businesses to invest, expand and generate employment.
“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,” he said.
The NDC candidate also pledged reforms in the security, education and healthcare sectors, while promising to reduce wasteful government expenditure and protect investments capable of expanding the country’s productive capacity.
Expressing confidence in his joint ticket with Kwankwaso, Obi said their respective governing experiences would provide complementary strengths in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
“I enter this contest with one firm conviction: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work,” he said.
2027 Presidential Election
Obi’s declaration comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with major opposition figures and political parties working to strengthen their positions and build alliances ahead of the poll.
The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The election is expected to produce a major contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition forces as political realignments and coalition-building efforts continue.
In the 2023 presidential election, APC candidate Bola Tinubu defeated Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Tinubu secured more than eight million votes, while Atiku and Obi each polled more than six million votes. Kwankwaso recorded more than one million votes.
Ahead of the 2027 election, Atiku and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi have emerged among the leading figures in the ADC-led opposition coalition, while Obi is seeking the presidency under the NDC.
The incumbent president is also seeking a second term.
The renewed campaign activity followed the signing of a National Peace Accord by major presidential contenders on Tuesday, in which they pledged to conduct their campaigns and participate in the electoral process peacefully.
Obi called on Nigerians to carefully assess the candidates, their records and their proposed policies before making their choices at the polls, insisting that the 2027 election should be centred on the issues that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of citizens.
