morgANABLE politics/Governance
Obi emphasised that effective leadership requires physical presence and a deep understanding of the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians, noting that leaders cannot govern effectively from a distance.
KaNo—
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party, Peter Obi, on Friday officially launched his campaign for the 2027 general elections, calling on all aspirants seeking to lead the country to engage directly with Nigerians and defend their records, competence and vision for governance.
Speaking at a press conference held at his residence in Onitsha, Anambra State, Obi said the era of candidates avoiding public scrutiny must end, insisting that Nigerians deserve to hear directly from those seeking their mandate rather than through intermediaries.
“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,” Obi said.
He stressed that every presidential hopeful must be prepared to answer tough questions from citizens and subject their past records and policy proposals to open examination.
“Every candidate seeking the presidency must have the courage to come before the people, answer their questions, defend their records, and subject their vision to public scrutiny,” he added.
Obi Emphasizes Effective Leadership
Obi emphasised that effective leadership requires physical presence and a deep understanding of the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians, noting that leaders cannot govern effectively from a distance.
“True leadership requires presence and empathy. No one can lead from the front without standing with communities across Nigeria devastated by banditry, criminality, terrorism and flooding,” he said.
The former governor of Anambra State, who is contesting alongside his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, pledged to personally take his campaign to communities across the country, assuring Nigerians that he would not delegate such responsibility to proxies.
According to him, the 2027 election presents a critical opportunity for Nigerians to evaluate the ideas, competence and credibility of candidates amid mounting economic and security challenges.
Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria has the potential to overcome its current difficulties, declaring that “Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work.”
Obi Identifies Social Issues Bedevilling Nigeria
He identified poverty, food insecurity, unemployment, internal displacement, weak infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, insecurity and the high cost of doing business as some of the major problems confronting the country.
“We have the people, the talent, the resources and the enterprise required to build a working nation,” he said.
Outlining his policy direction, Obi said his administration would prioritise a shift from a consumption-driven economy to one anchored on production, investment and human capital development.
“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,” he stated.
He said key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries and services would receive focused attention under his leadership.
Obi Pledges Enabling Environment
Obi pledged to create an enabling environment that would encourage businesses to invest, expand and create jobs, while reducing regulatory bottlenecks and addressing infrastructure deficits.
On agriculture, he promised to strengthen food production through improved security, irrigation systems, rural road networks, storage facilities, and access to finance and markets.
“We will promote manufacturing and agro-processing to ensure value addition and reduce post-harvest losses,” he added.
The presidential candidate also emphasised the need for fiscal discipline and accountability, stating that public funds must be used efficiently and transparently.
“Every naira spent must have a clear purpose, and public investments must deliver measurable outcomes,” he said.
Addressing the issue of insecurity, Obi described it as a major barrier to economic growth, noting that no country can prosper when its citizens are unable to farm, travel or conduct business safely.
He advocated improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies, enhanced border management, and greater use of technology in addressing security threats.
In the area of education, he pledged to improve access to quality basic education, strengthen tertiary institutions and expand technical and vocational training to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills.
He also promised reforms in the health sector, including improved maternal and child healthcare, expanded access to essential medicines and better welfare for healthcare workers.
According to him, poor health outcomes continue to hinder Nigeria’s development and productivity.
Obi further outlined a regional development strategy that would allow different parts of the country to harness their comparative advantages while contributing to national growth.
He said the North-West region has the potential to expand agriculture, livestock production, irrigation and manufacturing, while the North-East could focus on reconstruction, agriculture, education and enterprise development.
For the North-Central, he proposed strengthening food production and responsible development of mineral resources, while the South-West could leverage its strengths in manufacturing, technology, finance and the creative economy.
He added that the South-East could build on its entrepreneurial base through improved infrastructure and access to investment, while the South-South could maximise opportunities in oil and gas, maritime services, fisheries and agriculture, alongside environmental protection.
“Every region must produce. Every region must contribute. Every region must benefit,” Obi said.
He called on voters to critically assess candidates’ records and policy proposals, urging Nigerians to ask difficult questions and demand credible evidence to support campaign promises.
“Our campaign will focus on the urgent concerns of Nigerians and not on ethnicity or religion,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to reject campaigns rooted in propaganda, elitism or cronyism, stressing that the country’s future depends on unity and collective responsibility.
“My ultimate objective is to unite the country, defeat insecurity, reduce poverty and hunger, tackle the problem of out-of-school children, improve education and healthcare, and create an economy that works for all Nigerians,” he said.
“The campaign marks 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.
The launch of Obi’s campaign signals the intensification of political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, as candidates begin to outline their visions for addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges and winning the support of the electorate.
