Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has formally commenced his campaign for the 2027 presidential election, declaring that Nigeria can overcome its current challenges and emerge as a safer, more productive and prosperous nation.
Obi, who made the declaration in an address marking the commencement of the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly campaign period, said he was entering the contest with the firm conviction that “Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work.”
He said the election presented Nigerians with an opportunity to critically assess the records, ideas and programmes of those seeking their mandate at a time the country and the wider world were confronted with significant economic, security and social challenges.
According to him, widespread poverty, insecurity, unemployment, weak infrastructure, unreliable electricity and the high cost of doing business were placing enormous pressure on Nigerian households and businesses.
“These are more than statistics. They reflect the daily realities of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students, and businesses,” Obi said.
He, however, expressed optimism that Nigeria possessed the human and material resources required to overcome its difficulties, stressing that the country needed leadership capable of translating its enormous potential into security, productivity and shared prosperity.
Leadership Must Deliver Results
Obi said his experience in the private sector, academic exposure and service as Governor of Anambra State had shaped his understanding of responsible public leadership.
He maintained that government must manage public resources responsibly, establish clear priorities and measure the outcomes of its policies.
“Public office is not a reward; it is a responsibility to the people,” he declared.
The former governor said his administration in Anambra prioritised education, healthcare, infrastructure, fiscal discipline and institutional capacity, while acknowledging that the record was not perfect but remained an experience from which Nigerians could draw their own conclusions.
He also highlighted the governing experience of his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, particularly his focus on education, technical training, scholarships, infrastructure and human-capital development during his tenure as Governor of Kano State.
“Our experiences are different, but our conclusion is the same: Nigeria must invest in its people and manage public resources with discipline,” Obi said.
Production, Investment at Centre of Economic Agenda
The presidential hopeful said his administration, if elected, would place production, investment, enterprise and human capital at the centre of its economic agenda.
He said Nigeria needed to move beyond reactive economic reforms and focus on improving the living conditions of citizens.
Obi said his administration would increase agricultural productivity by securing farming communities, expanding irrigation, improving rural roads and storage facilities, and connecting farmers to finance and markets.
He also promised to strengthen manufacturing and agro-processing in order to enable Nigeria to export more finished products and retain greater value from its natural resources.
“We will create a business environment where entrepreneurs can invest, hire, and grow without unnecessary regulatory or infrastructure barriers,” he said.
According to him, public finances would be managed prudently, with every naira assigned a clear purpose and major public investments subjected to measurable outcomes.
“The goal is not growth for its own sake, but an economy that produces more, employs more people, creates wealth, and improves living standards,” he stated.
Obi Promises Comprehensive Security Reform
Obi identified insecurity as one of the major obstacles to Nigeria’s economic development, noting that no country could prosper when citizens could not safely live, farm, travel or conduct businesses.
He pledged to improve intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, strengthen policing and border management, and deploy technology more effectively in combating insecurity.
He also advocated the decentralisation of security management, backed by strong coordination among the different levels of government.
“Farmers cannot produce food if they cannot reach their farms safely. Children lose the chance to learn when they cannot attend school safely. Businesses cannot create jobs when they cannot move goods securely,” he said.
‘Nigeria Cannot Import Its Way to Prosperity’
Obi said Nigeria must urgently transition from a consumption-driven economy to one based on production and value creation.
“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 declared.
He identified agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries and services as sectors capable of driving national development and creating employment opportunities.
According to him, Nigeria’s large population and domestic market should be regarded as an economic advantage rather than a burden.
Youth Development, Healthcare Priority
Obi described Nigeria’s young population as “an enormous opportunity,” arguing that the country could secure a significant demographic dividend if young Nigerians were adequately educated, trained and integrated into productive economic activities.
He promised to improve basic education, strengthen universities and expand technical and vocational training.
“We need doctors, engineers, scientists, and lawyers, as well as technicians, mechanics, builders, nurses, farmers, programmers, manufacturers, artisans, and entrepreneurs,” he said.
On healthcare, Obi promised to strengthen the primary healthcare system, improve maternal and child health, expand access to essential medicines and equip healthcare workers to deliver effective services.
‘Every Region Must Produce’
The former Anambra governor also outlined a regional development approach in which every part of Nigeria would be encouraged to develop its comparative advantages while contributing to a unified national economy.
He said the North-West could expand agriculture, livestock, irrigation, agro-processing and manufacturing; the North-East could accelerate reconstruction and livelihood restoration; while the North-Central could deepen food production and responsible mineral development.
He identified manufacturing, technology, finance, trade and the creative economy as key opportunities for the South-West, while urging the South-East to build on its entrepreneurial and industrial strengths through improved infrastructure and access to investment.
For the South-South, Obi said greater value could be derived from oil and gas while developing maritime services, fisheries, agriculture and other productive sectors, alongside stronger environmental protection.
“Every region must produce. Every region must contribute. Every region must benefit,” he said.
Obi Challenges Presidential Candidates to Face Nigerians
Obi urged Nigerians to examine the records and proposals of all presidential candidates, ask difficult questions and demand evidence behind campaign promises.
He called for issue-based campaigns devoid of hatred, violence, ethnicity and religious divisions.
He also challenged presidential candidates to personally engage Nigerians across the country rather than relying on proxies and surrogates.
“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 added: “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.”
According to him, true leadership requires presence and empathy, particularly in communities affected by banditry, terrorism, criminality and flooding.
‘We Will Not Delegate This Duty to Proxies’
Obi said he and Kwankwaso would personally take their message to Nigerians during the campaign.
“My running mate and I will take our message directly to Nigerians. We will listen to them, understand their concerns, and engage them openly. We will not delegate this duty to proxies,” he said.
He maintained that any presidential candidate unwilling to travel across the country, meet citizens and respond to their concerns lacked the capacity required to govern Nigeria effectively.
Obi concluded by pledging to begin the process of “resetting Nigeria” through national unity, improved security, inclusive economic growth and a transition from consumption to production.
“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.
He declared: “A New Nigeria is possible.”
Obi then called on Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process, saying the 2027 election should be guided by “capacity, competence, compassion, character, and commitment,” rather than propaganda, ethnicity, religion, elitism or cronyism.
“God Almighty bless Nigeria,” he concluded.
