Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Coalition (NDC), Peter Obi, has unveiled a wide-ranging plan to tackle Nigeria’s security, economic and governance challenges after formally accepting his party’s presidential nomination ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the party’s nomination event in Abuja on Saturday, the former governor of Anambra State presented what he described as a roadmap for national renewal, covering key sectors such as security, healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, employment and democratic governance.
Obi told party members and supporters that Nigeria was facing serious challenges but remained capable of achieving progress through responsible leadership, accountability and national unity.
He described his emergence as the NDC presidential candidate as a collective mission aimed at rebuilding the country rather than a personal political ambition.
“This moment is not about Peter Obi. It is about Nigeria, about restoring hope to millions of citizens and securing a better future for our children,” he said.
The former governor thanked party leaders, including Seriake Dickson, members of the National Working Committee and supporters across the country for their confidence in his candidacy.
Obi’s acceptance speech comes at a time when political parties and aspirants are gradually positioning themselves for the 2027 general election. Since the end of the 2023 elections, discussions on governance, economic reforms, insecurity and the future direction of the country have remained central issues in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Addressing national unity, Obi said Nigeria’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity should be viewed as a strength rather than a source of division.
According to him, mistrust and divisions among citizens have contributed to many of the country’s problems and must be addressed if meaningful development is to be achieved.
He urged Nigerians to reject ethnic and religious sentiments and focus on building a united country capable of competing with other emerging economies.
The NDC candidate identified insecurity as one of the most urgent issues confronting the nation.
Over the past decade, Nigeria has battled terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality across different regions. These security challenges have affected economic activities, agriculture, education and investment.
Obi said reversing the trend would require a combination of modern technology, intelligence gathering and better coordination among security agencies.
He promised to implement intelligence-driven security strategies while addressing factors that fuel insecurity, including poverty, unemployment and social exclusion.
According to him, tackling the root causes of crime is just as important as strengthening military and law enforcement operations.
Obi also recalled Nigeria’s long history of participating in peacekeeping missions across Africa and other parts of the world.
He argued that if Nigeria could contribute to peace efforts internationally, it should also possess the capacity to restore peace and security within its own borders.
On healthcare, the NDC candidate painted a troubling picture of the country’s health sector, noting that many primary healthcare centres are either poorly equipped or no longer functioning effectively.
Nigeria continues to face challenges in healthcare delivery, including inadequate funding, shortage of medical personnel and limited access to quality services in many rural communities.
To address these issues, Obi pledged to increase healthcare spending and expand health insurance coverage across the country.
He promised to more than double health insurance coverage within four years and raise healthcare spending to at least 10 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The presidential candidate also said every political ward in the country would have a functional primary healthcare centre under his administration.
He further pledged that at least half of Nigeria’s estimated 30,000 primary healthcare facilities would become fully operational before the end of his first term if elected.
Education also featured prominently in Obi’s agenda.
Describing education as the foundation of national development, he promised substantial investment in schools, teacher training, technology and vocational education.
He said Nigeria’s large youth population should be viewed as an asset rather than a burden.
According to him, educational reforms would focus on equipping young people with practical skills needed in a modern economy.
He stressed that the objective would not only be to produce graduates searching for jobs but also entrepreneurs capable of creating employment opportunities for others.
On agriculture, Obi said Nigeria possesses enormous agricultural potential that remains largely untapped despite rising food prices and growing food insecurity.
He argued that increased local production remains the most sustainable solution to hunger, inflation and poverty.
Agriculture has historically been one of Nigeria’s largest employers and remains a major source of livelihood for millions of households, particularly in rural communities.
The NDC candidate said his administration would prioritise large-scale agricultural investment and support farmers to boost productivity.
He pointed to the country’s vast arable land, especially in northern Nigeria, as one of its greatest economic advantages.
According to him, improved agricultural production would reduce dependence on imports, strengthen food security and create millions of jobs.
Obi also outlined plans to address Nigeria’s long-standing electricity challenges.
Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria continues to struggle with inadequate power supply, a problem widely regarded as a major obstacle to industrialisation and economic growth.
Businesses and manufacturers have repeatedly complained about the high cost of alternative power sources, particularly diesel and petrol generators.
To tackle the challenge, Obi pledged to increase electricity generation and distribution by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years.
He said improved power supply would stimulate industrial growth, support small businesses and attract more investment into the economy.
The former governor also promised measures aimed at reducing unemployment and supporting small businesses.
He pledged tax incentives, lower-interest financing and easier access to credit for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which are widely regarded as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
According to him, strengthening small businesses would create jobs and help drive economic growth.
On governance, Obi promised to reduce the cost of government and strengthen transparency in public spending.
He said public resources must be managed responsibly and produce measurable benefits for citizens.
The NDC candidate also pledged to uphold democratic principles by respecting opposition parties, promoting the rule of law and ensuring that elections are conducted without undue interference from those in power.
He said democracy can only thrive when institutions remain strong and citizens have confidence in the electoral process.
Bringing his speech to a close, Obi repeated his familiar campaign message that “a New Nigeria is possible.”
He urged Nigerians not to lose hope despite the country’s current difficulties and called on citizens to remain committed to building a more secure, prosperous and united nation.