Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has unveiled what he described as a new governance agenda for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election, promising to personally lead the fight against insecurity, rebuild the economy through production, reduce the cost of governance and serve only one four-year term if elected.
Obi made the promises during a two-hour interview on a national television programme, Sunday Politics, where he outlined what he said would be a different approach to governing Africa’s most populous country.
The former governor said Nigeria’s security challenges require stronger leadership and pledged to take direct responsibility for coordinating efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
According to him, unlike the current approach, he would remain actively involved in security operations by regularly visiting troubled communities, ensuring that security agencies receive adequate funding and equipment, and strengthening cooperation with both local and international partners.
“I will personally lead the fight against insecurity. I will be visible, engaged and directly involved. I will visit affected communities and ensure that our security architecture is properly equipped, adequately funded and fully supported,” Obi said.
He added that while he would not publicly reveal operational strategies, his administration would strengthen the country’s security institutions and provide them with the resources needed to restore peace across the country.
Obi argued that insecurity cannot be solved through military operations alone, insisting that poverty remains one of the biggest drivers of crime and violence.
According to him, lasting peace will only come through sustained investment in education, job creation and economic opportunities, especially for young people.
“You cannot create widespread poverty and expect peace. The more people are pushed into poverty, the greater the insecurity. Education and job creation remain the most sustainable solutions,” he stated.
Turning to the economy, Obi said his administration would move Nigeria away from what he described as a consumption-driven economy and focus instead on production through agriculture, manufacturing and support for small and medium-scale enterprises.
He maintained that Nigeria has enough natural and human resources to become one of the world’s leading agricultural producers if the right policies are put in place.
“Nigeria must move from consumption to production. Agriculture alone can generate more revenue than crude oil if properly developed. We have enough arable land not only to feed ourselves but also become a major exporter,” he said.
Obi promised that his government would provide farmers and manufacturers with easier access to affordable credit, improve the business environment and encourage investments that create jobs rather than speculative capital inflows.
Drawing comparisons with countries such as Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and the Netherlands, he said Nigeria’s economic growth would depend on supporting productive sectors and empowering small businesses.
The NDC presidential candidate also criticised the way the Federal Government implemented the removal of fuel subsidy.
Although he reiterated his support for ending the subsidy regime, Obi argued that the process should have been gradual, transparent and properly explained to Nigerians.
According to him, government should clearly account for the savings realised from subsidy removal and show citizens how the funds are being invested.
“The problem is not simply removing subsidy. Government must explain to Nigerians what is being saved and where those savings are being invested. Economic reforms must translate into improved living conditions for ordinary citizens,” he said.
He acknowledged that some economic indicators may have improved but insisted that many Nigerians have yet to experience any meaningful improvement in their daily lives.
Obi said poverty has continued to rise despite increased government revenue and borrowing, leaving many citizens facing severe economic hardship.
On corruption, Obi said economic reforms would only succeed if they were matched by a determined campaign against graft.
He called for greater transparency in public finance, saying Nigerians deserve full explanations whenever government grants waivers, undertakes major spending or makes significant financial decisions.
“If government can implement painful economic reforms with determination, it should demonstrate the same resolve in fighting corruption. Citizens have the right to know how public resources are being managed,” he stated.
Obi also defended his personal record in public office, insisting that all his assets were properly declared while serving as governor of Anambra State.
He challenged anyone with evidence of corruption against him during his time in office to make it public.
The former governor also vowed to drastically reduce the cost of governance, arguing that scarce public funds should be directed towards education, healthcare and infrastructure instead of official luxury.
He criticised government spending on expensive assets, including aircraft, saying public office holders must demonstrate prudent management of national resources.
“There is too much waste in government. Before buying luxury assets, we should ask whether the same resources could build hospitals, schools or critical infrastructure. Leadership is about setting priorities,” he said.
Obi also repeated his opposition to maintaining a publicly funded Office of the First Lady, describing it as a structure not recognised by the Constitution.
According to him, while his wife would perform ceremonial responsibilities as the president’s spouse, there would be no separate bureaucracy funded by taxpayers.
“My wife will naturally perform ceremonial duties as the president’s spouse, but there will be no separate government bureaucracy or publicly funded Office of the First Lady. Nigerians elected the president, not the president’s spouse,” he said.
On electricity, Obi cautioned against making unrealistic promises, saying fixing Nigeria’s power sector would require sustained investment across generation, transmission and distribution.
Rather than promising quick solutions, he said his administration would encourage greater private sector participation while replicating successful independent power projects across different parts of the country.
Obi also appealed for credible elections in 2027, urging President Bola Tinubu to leave a democratic legacy by ensuring that the next general election is free, fair and transparent.
He said Nigeria’s elections should reflect the will of the people rather than the wishes of political office holders.
“I appeal to President Tinubu to ensure Nigeria conducts a free, fair and credible election. History will remember him positively if he guarantees that Nigerians freely choose their leaders,” Obi said.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate, who has since emerged as the standard-bearer of the NDC, also repeated his claim that he won the 2023 presidential election. However, he said his focus was now on presenting Nigerians with an alternative vision based on competent leadership, integrity and national development.
Obi pledged to work with all political leaders committed to rebuilding Nigeria but described the country’s young people as his most important partners.
“My greatest partners are Nigeria’s young people. The objective is not simply to win an election; it is to build a Nigeria that works for everyone,” he said.
He also reaffirmed his earlier promise to serve only one term if elected president in 2027, insisting that four years would be enough to lay the foundation for national recovery and sustainable development.
“I do not need more than four years to put Nigeria on the right path. If elected, I will serve only one term of four years, not one day longer,” he declared.