Obi, who spoke at a press conference to mark the commencement of the 2027 presidential and National Assembly campaigns, said Nigerians must judge political candidates by their records.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has unveiled an economic and governance agenda centred on moving Nigeria from consumption to production, tackling insecurity and poverty, and creating jobs and opportunities for the country’s growing population.
Obi, who spoke at a press conference to mark the commencement of the 2027 presidential and National Assembly campaigns, said Nigerians must judge political candidates by their records, competence and ability to deliver measurable results.
He noted that Nigeria is faced with “several serious challenges,” including widespread poverty, insecurity, unemployment, weak infrastructure, unreliable power and the high cost of doing business.
According to him, “these are more than statistics. They reflect the daily realities of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students, and businesses.”
Obi said his administration, if elected, would prioritise production, investment, enterprise and human capital, insisting that “Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity.”
He said the government would “produce more of what we consume, process more of what we produce, and compete more effectively in global markets.”
On agriculture, he promised to secure farming communities, expand irrigation, improve rural roads and storage, and connect farmers to finance and markets, while strengthening manufacturing and agro-processing.
He also pledged responsible management of public finances, stressing that “every naira should have a clear purpose, and major public investments should have measurable outcomes.”
On security, Obi said “no nation can prosper when its people cannot live, farm, travel, or do business safely,” promising improved intelligence gathering, better coordination among security agencies, stronger policing and border management, and greater use of technology.
He also backed decentralisation of security management, saying, “the imperative of decentralising security management, but with strong systems of coordination between the levels, is critical to our plans.”
Obi said his administration would tackle youth unemployment through stronger basic education, universities and technical and vocational training, noting that Nigeria must secure “a high demographic dividend from our youth bulge.”
He also promised to strengthen healthcare, improve maternal and child health, expand access to essential medicines and equip healthcare workers.
On regional development, the NDC candidate said every part of the country must become productive, with policies tailored to the economic strengths of each region.
“Every region must produce. Every region must contribute. Every region must benefit,” he declared.
Obi, who referenced his record as former Anambra State governor and the governing experience of his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said public office must be treated as a responsibility rather than a reward.
“Government must manage resources responsibly, set clear priorities, and measure the outcomes of its decisions. Public office is not a reward; it is a responsibility to the people,” he said.
He also called on Nigerians to reject campaigns based on ethnicity, religion, elitism and cronyism, insisting that the 2027 election should be guided by “capacity, competence, compassion, character, and commitment.”
Obi challenged presidential candidates to personally engage Nigerians during the campaign, saying, “No candidate should hide behind the high walls of power, send proxies or surrogates to the hustings, and expect Nigerians to entrust them with the leadership of the country.”
He added, “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.”
Obi said he and his running mate would personally take their campaign to Nigerians, listen to their concerns and defend their records and plans.
“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,” he said.