Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain Peter Obi has been unveiled as the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The announcement was made by the NDC national leadership, led by Senator Seriake Dickson, during a special convention held in Abuja on Saturday, May 30.
Obi's Acceptance Speech
In his acceptance speech, Obi, 64, emphasized key elements of his manifesto, focusing on agriculture, security, education, and healthcare. He called for national unity and a shift from consumption to production.
Unity
Obi stressed that Nigeria must overcome ethnic, religious, and regional divisions. He stated, "We may communicate in different languages and practice diverse faiths, but we share a singular destiny under one flag." He urged citizens to build bridges and replace mistrust with confidence.
Security
Highlighting the deteriorating security situation, Obi noted that Nigeria ranked 8th in global terrorism impact in 2022, 6th in 2024, and 4th in 2026. He pledged an intelligence-driven, technology-enhanced, and community-focused strategy to address insecurity, tackling root causes like poverty and unemployment.
Healthcare
Obi criticized Nigeria's healthcare ranking of 157th globally, with only 10-20% of primary healthcare centers functional. He promised to double health insurance coverage to over 20% within four years and increase the healthcare budget to 10% of GDP. He also committed to establishing a fully functional primary healthcare center in all 8,809 wards.
Education
Obi declared education a priority for national revival, vowing to invest in schools, teachers, technology, and vocational training to equip youth for employment and entrepreneurship.
Hunger and Agriculture
Noting Nigeria's drop to 115th on the Global Hunger Index by 2025, Obi argued that the country's vast landmass makes hunger unjustifiable. He compared Nigeria's land-to-population ratio favorably with India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, emphasizing the need to boost agricultural production.
Energy Sector
Obi highlighted that Nigeria generates only 4,000 MW of electricity for over 200 million people, while South Africa and Egypt generate over 40,000 MW each. He committed to increasing power generation and distribution by at least 10,000 MW within four years.
Unemployment
He acknowledged that official unemployment figures understate the crisis, with youth unemployment exceeding 40%. Obi proposed supporting MSMEs through tax incentives, special interest rates, and accessible funding in agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment, sports, and distribution.
Corruption and Governance Costs
Obi promised a verifiable reduction in corruption and governance costs, ensuring transparent and accountable management of public resources.
Rule of Law and Democracy
He vowed to uphold the rule of law and foster a democracy free from ruling party interference, with respect for opposition parties. Obi nominated Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso as his Vice President.
