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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party, Peter Obi, has promised to make insecurity, poverty and unemployment major priorities if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Obi made the pledge on Friday while formally launching his presidential campaign at a press conference held at his residence in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The former Anambra State governor said Nigerians deserved a government capable of addressing the country’s worsening economic and security challenges, including food insecurity, internal displacement, unreliable electricity and the high cost of doing business.
He argued that Nigeria had sufficient human and material resources to overcome its challenges, insisting that the country needed to move away from an economy driven largely by consumption.
“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,” Obi said.
He identified agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries and services as key sectors his administration would prioritise to stimulate production, attract investment and create jobs.
On agriculture, Obi said his administration would improve security, irrigation, rural roads, storage facilities, access to finance and markets while encouraging manufacturing and agro-processing.
He also identified insecurity as a major barrier to economic growth, noting that Nigerians could not farm, travel, trade or operate businesses effectively when their safety was threatened.
“We will improve intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, stronger policing and border management, greater use of technology and lawful community-based systems for early identification of threats,” he said.
The presidential candidate also promised reforms in education and healthcare, including strengthening basic education, improving universities and expanding technical and vocational training.
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He pledged to improve maternal and child healthcare, increase access to essential medicines and provide healthcare workers with the resources needed to serve Nigerians effectively.
Obi further promised to ensure that government spending produced measurable results, saying every naira spent by the government should have a clearly defined purpose.
He said his administration would pursue economic development based on the strengths of different regions, with emphasis on agriculture and agro-processing in parts of the North, manufacturing and technology in the South-West, entrepreneurship and industry in the South-East, and oil and gas, maritime services, fisheries and agriculture in the South-South.
“Every region must produce. Every region must contribute. Every region must benefit,” he said.
Obi, who is running alongside Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, also challenged other presidential candidates to publicly defend their records, credentials and policy proposals instead of relying on representatives during the campaign.
He urged Nigerians to scrutinise the candidates and demand evidence for their campaign promises, while calling for an issue-based campaign without ethnic or religious divisions.
“Our campaign will focus on the urgent concerns of Nigerians and not on ethnicity or religion,” Obi said.
He said his ultimate goal was to unite the country, tackle insecurity, reduce poverty and hunger, improve education and healthcare, and build an economy capable of creating opportunities for 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,” he declared.
