Peter Obi the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has officially launched his 2027 campaign with a clear message to all rivals.
He says any person seeking the top job must step before Nigerians present their papers defend what they have done and open their plans to full public check. No one should hide behind power walls or send others to speak for them.
Obi spoke at a press conference on Friday 21 August 2026 just after the official campaign period started on 19 August. He said this is a key moment for democracy when citizens can judge records ideas and plans of those who want to lead at a time of deep uncertainty.
He entered the race with one strong belief Nigeria can work and Nigeria must work. He listed the hard facts facing the nation.
The International Monetary Fund says 63 percent or more than 140 million Nigerians live at or below the poverty line. Humanitarian groups estimate 35 million people will need food help in the 2026 lean season. About 3.6 million remain displaced mainly from conflict and insecurity. Millions of young people enter the job market each year yet many cannot find real work. Weak roads unreliable power insecurity and high business costs keep weighing on families and firms.
These numbers show the daily struggle of families farmers workers students and businesses. Still Obi believes the country has the people resources market talent and drive to overcome them. The task is to turn those strengths into safety productivity and shared success.
He pointed to his own background in private business studies at respected institutions and his time as Anambra governor. There he focused on education health roads money discipline and strong institutions. He does not call the record perfect but says Nigerians can judge it for themselves. His running mate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso brings matching experience from Kano where he pushed education skills scholarships infrastructure and human development.
Their shared view is simple Nigeria must invest in its people and handle public money with care.
On the economy Obi wants focus on real questions. Are people better off than four years ago Can they pay for food school and health Can firms grow and hire Can youth find work Can farmers stay safe and sell their cropsHis plan puts production investment enterprise and people skills at the center. Farming communities will get better security irrigation rural roads storage and links to money and markets. Manufacturing and food processing will grow so Nigeria exports finished goods and keeps more value at home. Business rules will ease so investors can hire and expand. Public money will be spent only with clear goals and measurable results.
Security forms the base. No country grows when people cannot live farm travel or trade safely. The plan includes better intelligence coordination stronger policing border control technology use and community early warning systems. Security management should move closer to the people while staying well coordinated. It must also tackle the root causes that pull vulnerable youth into crime.
Nigeria cannot buy its way to wealth. With more than 200 million people and a fast growing population the country holds one of Africas biggest markets and workforces. The shift from buying to making will turn people into skilled workers natural resources into finished products and the home market into a magnet for investment. Agriculture manufacturing technology building energy creative work and services all have roles.
Young people are the greatest strength not a problem if they get the right tools. Basic schools universities and technical training will expand so the nation produces doctors engineers scientists technicians builders nurses farmers programmers and entrepreneurs.
Health needs urgent attention. Primary care is weak and mother and child deaths rank among the worst worldwide. The team will strengthen clinics improve maternal and child care ensure medicines and equip health workers.
Every region must produce and gain. The North West can grow farming livestock irrigation processing and manufacturing while lifting education and security. The North East needs faster rebuilding livelihoods farming education and trade. The North Central can boost food and minerals. The South West can build on manufacturing technology finance trade and creative strength. The South East can grow its business and industry through better roads links and investment. The South South can get more from oil and gas while expanding sea services fishing farming and green protection. Abuja must show efficient planning transport housing cleanliness safety and services.
Governance must aim higher than quick fixes. Better lives are the real goal. Wasteful spending will be cut while jobs and productive capacity stay protected. Revenue will rise without choking business. Education health security and infrastructure will receive steady investment because they build the future. Strong institutions that last beyond any one leader will be the measure of success.
Obi urged citizens to study every candidates record and plans ask hard questions and demand proof behind every promise. Debate should stay free of hate competition free of violence and disagreement free of damage to national unity. Once the people choose that choice must stand. Democracy continues after voting day as citizens keep demanding openness accountability and results.
The 2027 race must rest on capacity competence compassion character and commitment. The NDC campaign will speak to the real worries of Nigerians not ethnicity or religion. Propaganda tribal talk religious division elite privilege or favoritism must be rejected.
Obi and his running mate will travel the country themselves listen understand and engage openly. They will not hand the job to others. They will answer questions defend their records and character and lay out the rebuild plan. Any candidate unwilling to travel meet the people and reply to questions lacks the strength to govern.
The journey begins with uniting the nation securing it and shifting from consumption to production. A new Nigeria is possible.
