The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has asked Nigerians to take advantage of the 2027 campaign period to examine each candidate’s academic records and proposals and ask “tough questions.”
Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, spoke during a press conference on Friday to flag off his 2027 presidential campaign.
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The conference was streamed live on his Facebook page and other social media platforms.
President Bola Tinubu’s birth records and academic history have been a subject of controversy before his election in 2023. The controversy resurfaced recently ahead of the 2027 elections.
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Speaking at the press conference, Mr Obi, without naming any candidate, called for scrutiny of the candidates’ records and academic histories for the election.
“Every candidate must be willing to present their credentials, defend their records, and subject their vision to open scrutiny.
“No candidate should hide behind the high walls of power, send proxies or surrogates to the hustings, and expect Nigerians to entrust them with the leadership of the country,” he said.
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“Every candidate seeking the presidency must have the courage to come before the people, answer their questions, defend their records, and subject their vision to public scrutiny.”
Apart from Mr Tinubu, who is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress is among the top presidential candidates for next year’s election.
My agenda for Nigeria
Mr Obi also launched his economic and security strategies for Nigeria.
The NDC candidate vowed that if elected Nigeria’s president in 2027, he would leverage the comparative advantages of each region of the country to drive production, investment, job creation, and the sharing of prosperity.
He lamented that the country was currently battling myriad challenges, such as insecurity, economic hardship, and food insecurity, with many bearing the brunt of these realities.
“Yet I do not believe Nigeria lacks the ability to overcome these challenges. We have the people, resources, market, talent, and enterprise.
“What we must do now is turn these strengths into security, productivity, and shared prosperity,” he said.
“Nigeria’s diversity is an economic strength. Each region has distinct assets, and national policy must unlock those assets while connecting them to one productive economy.”
The former governor said the North-west of Nigeria could expand agriculture and manufacturing while strengthening education and security, with the North-east speeding up reconstruction, restoring livelihoods, and expanding agriculture, education, enterprise, and regional trade.
According to him, the North-Central can strengthen food production and processing, while the South-west can build on its strengths in manufacturing, technology, finance, trade, and the creative economy.
He said the South-east can expand its entrepreneurial and industrial strength, while the South-south can derive greater value from oil and gas while expanding maritime services, fisheries, agriculture, and other productive sectors.
“The Federal Capital Territory must demonstrate what efficient urban planning, transportation, housing, sanitation, security, and public services can achieve.
“Every region must produce. Every region must contribute. Every region must benefit,” he said.
Economic agenda
Mr Obi said that if he and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, are elected in 2027, their administration would develop an economic agenda that would put production, investment, enterprise, and human capital at the centre of their leadership.
“We will raise agricultural productivity by securing farming communities, expanding irrigation, improving rural roads and storage, and linking farmers to finance and markets.
“We will also strengthen manufacturing and agro-processing so Nigeria can export more finished goods and capture greater value from its resources.
“We will create a business environment where entrepreneurs can invest, hire, and grow without unnecessary regulatory or infrastructure barriers,” he said.
READ ALSO: Tinubu, Obi, Sowore, others sign peace accord ahead of 2027 campaigns
“And we will manage public finances responsibly. Every Naira should have a clear purpose, and major public investments should have measurable outcomes.”
The former governor reiterated his promise to turn Nigeria from a consumption to a production economy, saying the country’s over 200 million population, which makes it one of Africa’s largest domestic markets and labour forces, is “an opportunity we must seize to turn the future of our country around.”
Security agenda
Mr Obi noted that no nation can prosper when its people cannot live, farm, travel, or do business safely, stressing that insecurity has displaced millions of Nigerians and continues to disrupt agriculture and other economic activities.
“We must improve intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, strengthen policing and border management, and make better use of technology.
“We must also support lawful community-based systems that identify threats early and enable effective responses,” he said.
“Security policy must also address the conditions that make vulnerable young people susceptible to criminal recruitment.”
Health
On healthcare, Mr Obi argued that Nigeria’s health indicators remain deeply concerning despite the sector’s importance, but assured that his administration would reverse the situation.
“We will strengthen healthcare, improve maternal and child health, expand access to essential medicines, and equip healthcare workers to serve effectively,” he said.
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