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…As Obi promises to rescue Nigeria, provide intelligence-driven security
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has affirmed Mr. Peter Obi as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections with Rabiu Kwankwaso named as his running mate.
This was at a Special Convention in Abuja witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Obi, in his acceptance speech delivered before party leaders led by national chairman, Seriake Dickson, National Working Committee members, and delegates drawn from across the country, declared that Nigeria was standing at dangerous crossroads marked by uncertainty, fear, and declining public confidence in governance.
He said the country was “enveloped in uncertainty,” warning that “families are anxious about their safety; parents are concerned for their children’s futures; and talented youth increasingly question their prospects in their homeland,” while also lamenting that “businesses are struggling, communities are suffering, and an alarming number of citizens have lost faith in the very concept of governance.”
Despite the grim assessment, he insisted that national despair was not inevitable, stressing that “a new Nigeria is possible,” a phrase he repeatedly anchored as both a conviction and a political mission.
He described his candidacy as going beyond personal ambition, saying it concerned “the essence of our nation and the future of our children,” and urged Nigerians to see the moment as one that demands urgent rebuilding of trust, institutions, and national unity.
On the state of the country, Obi warned that Nigeria’s divisions along ethnic, religious, regional, and political lines were weakening its foundation, arguing that “Nigeria cannot advance while fragmented” and calling for a shift from mistrust to cooperation.
He urged citizens to “build bridges where others erect barriers,” adding that the country must not allow internal fractures to destroy its future, warning in reference to Will Durant that “a great civilisation is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.”
Security featured prominently in his address as he highlighted worsening global terrorism impact rankings, noting Nigeria’s slide from 8th in 2022 to 6th in 2024 and 4th in 2026 among the most affected nations.
He contrasted this with Nigeria’s earlier reputation as a global peacekeeping leader, referencing the country’s role in missions across Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Mali, Lebanon, Haiti, and others, as well as the leadership of Nigerian officers like Lt. General Isaac Obiakor (rtd)
The former Anambra State governor said the present situation, where “citizens live in trepidation,” demanded urgent action, stressing that “the primary responsibility of government is to ensure the safeguarding of lives and property,” while pledging an intelligence-driven, technology-enhanced, and community-focused security strategy that would also address poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation.
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On healthcare, Obi described Nigeria’s system as deeply broken, noting its global ranking of 157th and stating that only “10% to 20% of approximately 30,000 primary healthcare centres” are operational, a situation he linked to high infant mortality and low insurance coverage of about 10 percent.
He pledged that within four years his administration would raise health insurance coverage above 20 percent, increase healthcare spending to at least 10 percent of GDP from below five percent, ensure fully functional primary healthcare centres in all 8,809 wards, and restore at least half of the nation’s 30,000 primary healthcare facilities to full operation.
Obi, who was the Labour Party presidential candidate in the last election, also placed education at the centre of his vision, describing it as the foundation of national revival and insisting that investment in schools, teachers, and vocational training would transform Nigeria from a “cycle of shared poverty to one of collective prosperity.”
On hunger, he cited Nigeria’s worsening position on the Global Hunger Index, noting its fall from 109th in 2023 to 115th in 2025, while warning that over 35 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity.
Going further, he argued that Nigeria’s vast landmass compared to countries like India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam made the crisis unacceptable, stating that “we have absolutely no justification for being among the world’s hungriest nations,” and calling for a shift from consumption to large-scale agricultural production, particularly in the northern regions.
On the economy and infrastructure, Obi said Nigeria’s electricity deficit remained a major constraint, noting that the country generates only about 4,000 megawatts for over 200 million people.
He described Nigeria as having “the highest number of citizens lacking access to electricity globally” and promised to increase power generation and distribution by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years to stimulate industry and economic growth.
Obi also challenged official unemployment figures, arguing that while the government claims 4 percent unemployment, real underemployment and youth unemployment exceed 30 percent and 40 percent respectively, pledging targeted support for micro, small and medium enterprises through tax incentives, accessible funding, and sectoral investment in agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment, sports, and distribution.
On governance, he promised a measurable reduction in corruption and public sector waste, insisting that government resources would be managed with “absolute transparency, prudence, and accountability.”
He further pledged that “the rule of law will be fiercely upheld” and described it as sacrosanct for both leaders and citizens, while also promising a democratic system rooted in fairness, transparency, and non-interference, where opposition parties are respected and governance is inclusive.
The convention formally ratified the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket after Victor Umeh moved the motion for affirmation, declaring that the party was united “in accordance with the provisions of our party’s constitution,” while Omo-Agege seconded the motion, expressing “hope, excitement, and great expectation.”
The event sealed the NDC’s entry into the 2027 race with what party leaders described as a mission to rebuild a fractured nation.
