Obi Opens 2027 Campaign, Cites Poverty, Insecurity As Nigeria’s Defining Test
By Sunday Etuka
Former Anambra State Governor and Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has formally launched his campaign for the 2027 general election, declaring that Nigeria “can work and must work” despite what he described as challenges of “existential proportions” facing the country.
Obi made the declaration in an address on Friday in Abuja, marking the official commencement of the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly campaigns, which began on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
“This is a defining moment for our democracy,” Obi said. “This moment gives Nigerians the opportunity to assess the records, ideas, and plans of those seeking their mandate to lead their country at a time of grave uncertainty in our rapidly changing world.”
He said he entered the race with one firm conviction. “Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work,” he said.
Citing data from the International Monetary Fund, Obi said 63 percent of Nigerians, or more than 140 million people, live at or below the national poverty line. He added that humanitarian agencies estimate 35 million people will require food assistance during the 2026 lean season, while about 3.6 million Nigerians remain internally displaced because of conflict and insecurity.
“These are more than statistics,” he said. “They reflect the daily realities of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students, and businesses.”
He said millions of young Nigerians enter the labour market each year but struggle to find productive opportunities, pointing also to weak infrastructure, unreliable power supply, insecurity and the high cost of doing business as continuing burdens on households and enterprise.
Despite these challenges, Obi expressed confidence in the country’s capacity to recover. “We have the people, resources, market, talent, and enterprise,” he said. “What we must do now is turn these strengths into security, productivity, and shared prosperity.”
Speaking on leadership, Obi referenced his background in the private sector, his studies in policy and business, and his tenure as Governor of Anambra State. “Government must manage resources responsibly, set clear priorities, and measure the outcomes of its decisions,” he said. “Public office is not a reward; it is a responsibility to the people.”
He said his administration in Anambra prioritised education, healthcare, infrastructure, fiscal discipline and institutional capacity. “I do not present that record as perfect, but as an experience from which Nigerians can draw their own conclusions,” he said.
Obi also spoke about his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing their governing experiences as different but complementary. He said Kwankwaso, as Governor of Kano State, focused strongly on education, technical training, scholarships, infrastructure and human capital development.
“Our experiences are different, but our conclusion is the same,” Obi said. “Nigeria must invest in its people and manage public resources with discipline.”
On the economy, Obi said Nigeria needs more than reactive reforms, urging voters to focus on questions he considered central to the campaign.
“Are Nigerians better off than they were four years ago?” he asked. “Can they afford food, education, and healthcare? Can businesses produce, expand, and create jobs? Can young people find productive work? Can farmers work safely and get their produce to market?”
Obi’s address is expected to be followed by similar campaign declarations from other presidential contenders as parties formally begin mobilising ahead of the 2027 general election.
