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• NDC standard-bearer throws veiled jab at Tinubu, unveils plans on economy, security, food security, others
The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has promised to build a production-driven economy, create productive jobs, and overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture.
Speaking at a press conference in Onitsha, Anambra State on Friday, he stated that his movement would focus on national dialogue to rebuild the country and improve living standards for poor and vulnerable citizens.
The former Anambra State governor noted that while he and his political allies come from diverse backgrounds, they share a unified goal, including investing in Nigerians and ensuring responsible management of public resources.
Obi challenged Nigerians to evaluate political leaders based on policy outcomes, asking if their lives had genuinely improved over the past four years regarding food affordability, education, and healthcare access.
“Can businesses grow, produce, and generate jobs? Can young people secure productive employment? Can farmers work safely and get their produce to market?” he asked, urging voters to demand direct answers from candidates rather than proxies.
Obi argued that Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity, stressing that a population exceeding 200 million represents a massive domestic market that must be transformed into productive human capital.
“We will produce more of what we consume, process more of what we produce, and compete more effectively in global markets,” he said.
Obi identified agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries, and services as sectors critical to driving enterprise and employment.
Citing data, he stated that 63 per cent of over 140 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, with humanitarian agencies estimating that 35 million would require food aid during the lean season.
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He added that 3.6 million citizens remain internally displaced by insecurity, while millions of youth enter the labor market annually without finding opportunities.
On security, Obi pledged improved intelligence coordination, stronger border management, and greater deployment of technology.
Addressing democratic accountability, he asserted that leaders must directly engage the electorate.
“Any presidential candidate who lacks the resolve to travel across the country, meet the people, and respond to their questions lacks the capacity to govern it. Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work,” Obi assured.
He used the formal launch of his 2027 campaign to take a swipe at rivals who he claimed avoid facing voters directly.
He spoke days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu skipped the National Peace Accord signing in Abuja and sent the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in his place.
Obi said no candidate should hide behind the high walls of power or send proxies and surrogates to the electorate and still expect Nigerians to entrust them with leadership. He said every presidential candidate must have the courage to come before the people, answer their questions and defend their record and vision to public scrutiny.
He said true leadership requires presence and empathy. He said no one can lead from the front without standing with communities devastated by banditry, criminality, terrorism and flooding. He said a leader cannot truly lead people they are unwilling to visit, listen to and understand.
Obi committed himself and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to taking their message directly to Nigerians. He said they would not delegate that duty to proxies. He said any candidate who lacks the resolve to travel across the country and respond to people’s questions lacks the capacity to govern it.
Although Obi did not name any candidate, his remarks came just days after Tinubu’s absence from Tuesday’s peace accord ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, drew public criticism.
