Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has officially opened his 2027 campaign with a message centred on unity, security, economic recovery and accountable leadership.
The former Anambra State governor delivered the address on Friday in Abuja, where he said Nigeria must choose competence, character and compassion in the coming election.
Obi said the campaign period, which began on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, gives Nigerians a chance to judge the records and plans of those seeking office.
He said, “I enter this contest with one firm conviction: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work.”
He also said millions of Nigerians are already living under severe pressure, citing poverty, food insecurity, displacement, unemployment and weak infrastructure as daily realities for households and businesses.
According to Obi, “These are more than statistics. They reflect the daily realities of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students, and businesses.”
He added that Nigeria has the people, resources, market and talent needed to succeed, but said those strengths must be turned into security, productivity and shared prosperity.
Economic Recovery Plan
Obi said his campaign would focus on production, investment, enterprise and human capital.
He argued that Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity and must instead produce more, process more and compete better in global markets.
He said agriculture would be strengthened through better security, irrigation, rural roads, storage and market access, while manufacturing and agro-processing would receive more support.
Obi added that public finance must be handled responsibly, saying every naira should serve a clear purpose and every major public investment should produce measurable results.
The World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update has also warned that economic stabilisation must translate into better living standards, stronger jobs and improved human capital.
Security And Governance
Security formed a major part of Obi’s address.
He said no nation can prosper when citizens cannot farm, travel or do business safely, and called for better intelligence sharing, stronger policing, border control and wider use of technology.
He also backed decentralised security management, with coordination across all levels of government.
Obi said his approach would be different from politics built on slogans, insisting that leadership must deliver results, not promises.
He described public office as a duty to the people, not a reward.
Message To Young Nigerians
Obi said Nigeria’s young population is an opportunity, not a burden, if properly prepared for work and productivity.
He promised stronger basic education, better universities and more technical and vocational training.
He said the country needs doctors, engineers, scientists, lawyers, technicians, farmers, programmers and entrepreneurs to drive growth.
The second-time presidential candidate also suggested that health must be treated as human capital, promising stronger primary healthcare, better maternal and child health services and wider access to essential medicines.
Opposition Unity And Atiku
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress has asked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to step aside from the 2027 race and back Obi.
The NDC’s Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, said on X that Atiku should support Obi to help defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
He said stepping aside would not damage Atiku’s legacy, but could strengthen the opposition’s chances.
Agada also praised Atiku’s character and vision while saying the time had come for him to withdraw from presidential ambition.
He wrote, “If he steps aside, nothing is going to affect his sterling legacy. AA should support Obi to kick the APC out.”
That comment came after Atiku said the 2027 presidential election would be his last attempt, whether he wins or not.
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