The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accepted his party’s nomination for the 2027 presidential election, unveiling an ambitious agenda to tackle insecurity, poverty, unemployment, poor healthcare and Nigeria’s chronic power crisis.
Addressing party leaders in Abuja, Obi who declared that a New Nigeria is Possible, described his emergence as the NDC flagbearer, a defining moment for the nation’s future rather than a contest driven by personal ambition.
He expressed gratitude to party leaders, supporters and Nigerians who have continued to keep hope alive despite worsening economic hardship and growing insecurity across the country.
Obi painted a grim picture of the nation’s condition, saying millions of Nigerians have lost faith in governance amid rising poverty, hunger and insecurity.
However, he insisted that national unity remains the foundation for rebuilding the country.
“Nigeria cannot move forward while divided by ethnic, religious or regional interests. Our diversity must become our strength, not our weakness,” he said, urging citizens to replace distrust with cooperation and embrace a shared national purpose.
On security, Obi described the country’s deteriorating security situation as unacceptable, citing Nigeria’s worsening ranking on global terrorism indices.
He pledged to adopt an intelligence-driven and technology-powered approach to combat terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.
“No nation can prosper when its citizens live in fear. Farmers must return safely to their farms, students must learn without fear, and investors must regain confidence in Nigeria,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor also promised major investments in healthcare, vowing to more than double health insurance coverage from about 10 per cent to over 20 per cent within four years.
He further pledged to raise healthcare spending to at least 10 per cent of GDP and ensure functional primary healthcare centres in all 8,809 wards nationwide.
Obi equally identified education as the cornerstone of national development, promising increased investment in schools, teachers, technology and vocational training to equip young Nigerians with skills for the modern economy.
Addressing the food crisis, the presidential candidate lamented Nigeria’s ranking among the world’s hungriest nations despite its vast agricultural potential. He pledged massive investments in agriculture to transform the country from a consumption-driven economy into a productive one.
According to him, unlocking Nigeria’s vast arable land, particularly in the northern region, would create jobs, boost food production and reduce poverty.
On power supply, Obi described Nigeria’s electricity situation as a national embarrassment, noting that the country generates and distributes only about 4,000 megawatts for over 200 million people. He pledged to increase electricity generation and distribution by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years.
The NDC candidate also vowed to tackle unemployment and underemployment by supporting micro, small and medium-scale enterprises through tax incentives, affordable financing and targeted investments in key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, sports, entertainment and distribution.
He promised a transparent government anchored on accountability, a drastic reduction in the cost of governance, strict adherence to the rule of law, and a democratic system that respects opposition parties and guarantees electoral fairness.
In a major political announcement, Obi said he would make democracy work through inclusive leadership and partnership, declaring that the office of the Vice President would not be treated as a spare tyre.
“I hereby accept my nomination and nominate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as my Vice Presidential candidate,” Obi announced to loud cheers from supporters.
