2027: Obi, Kwankwaso Unveil Economic, Security Agenda as Presidential Campaign Begins

Awka, Anambra. August 21, 2026 —NDC Presidential candidate for the 2027 General Elections, Mr Peter Obi, has outlined an ambitious agenda for the 2027 presidential election, promising to unite Nigeria, tackle insecurity, reduce poverty and move the country from consumption to production.
The former governor of Anambra State Mr Peter Obi made the declaration on Friday while addressing a press conference at his Awka country home to mark the commencement of the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly campaign season.
He said the commencement of the campaign on Wednesday, August 19, represented a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy and an opportunity for citizens to scrutinise the records, ideas and programmes of those seeking their mandate.
According to him, Nigeria is facing serious economic and security challenges, but the country possesses sufficient human and material resources to overcome them if governed with competence, discipline and accountability.
“Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work,” Obi declared.
Poverty and insecurity remain major concerns
Obi cited widespread poverty, food insecurity, internal displacement, unemployment, poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity and the high cost of doing business among the major challenges confronting Nigerians.
He argued that the figures surrounding poverty and displacement should not be treated merely as statistics, stressing that they represented the daily experiences of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students and businesses.
He maintained that the country’s population, natural resources, entrepreneurial capacity and large domestic market could become the foundation for shared prosperity if properly managed.
Leadership must deliver measurable results
The former Anambra governor said his private-sector experience, academic background and eight years of service as governor had shaped his understanding of responsible leadership.
He argued that public office should be regarded as a responsibility rather than a reward, insisting that government must establish clear priorities, manage resources responsibly and measure the outcomes of its policies.
Obi pointed to education, healthcare, infrastructure, fiscal discipline and institutional development as areas he prioritised during his administration in Anambra State.
He acknowledged that his record was not perfect but said it provided Nigerians with an opportunity to assess his experience in governance.
He also highlighted the experience of his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, particularly his administration’s emphasis on education, technical training, scholarships, infrastructure and human-capital development in Kano State.
According to Obi, although their governing experiences were different, both had reached the same conclusion that Nigeria must invest in its people and manage public resources with discipline.
Production to replace excessive dependence on imports
Obi said an administration led by him and Kwankwaso would place production, investment, enterprise and human capital at the centre of economic policy.
He promised increased investment in agriculture through improved security, irrigation, rural roads, storage facilities, access to finance and stronger links between farmers and markets.
He also pledged to strengthen manufacturing and agro-processing to enable Nigeria to export more finished products rather than raw materials.
The presidential candidate said the government would seek to create a business environment in which entrepreneurs could invest, employ workers and expand without unnecessary regulatory and infrastructure barriers.
He stressed that every naira of public money should have a clear purpose, while major government investments should be subjected to measurable performance outcomes.
According to him, economic growth must ultimately translate into increased production, employment, wealth creation and improved living standards.
Security placed at the centre of development agenda
Obi described security as the foundation of national development, arguing that no country could prosper when citizens could not farm, travel, attend school or conduct business safely.
He proposed improved intelligence gathering, better coordination among security agencies, stronger policing and border management, and greater use of technology.
He also advocated lawful community-based security mechanisms capable of identifying threats early and supporting effective responses.
Obi further called for decentralisation of security management, backed by effective coordination among the different levels of government.
He linked insecurity to unemployment and vulnerability among young people, warning that farmers could not produce food if they were unable to access their farms safely and businesses could not create jobs when goods could not move securely.
Youth population described as Nigeria’s greatest opportunity
Obi rejected the description of Nigeria’s rapidly growing youth population as a burden.
Instead, he described young Nigerians as an enormous economic opportunity, provided the country invests in their education, skills and productivity.
He promised to strengthen basic education, improve universities and expand technical and vocational training.
He said Nigeria required not only doctors, engineers, scientists and lawyers but also technicians, mechanics, builders, nurses, farmers, programmers, manufacturers, artisans and entrepreneurs.
The objective, he said, would be to secure a strong demographic dividend from Nigeria’s youthful population.
Healthcare investment promised
The presidential candidate also identified healthcare as an essential component of human capital development.
He expressed concern over Nigeria’s health indicators, particularly maternal and child mortality, and promised to strengthen primary healthcare, improve maternal and child health services, expand access to essential medicines and improve the capacity of healthcare workers.
He maintained that a productive economy could not be built around an unhealthy population.
Regional economic development
Obi also presented a regional approach to economic development, arguing that Nigeria’s diversity should be treated as an economic advantage.
He said the North-West could expand agriculture, livestock, irrigation, agro-processing and manufacturing, while the North-East should focus on reconstruction, livelihood restoration, agriculture, education, enterprise and regional trade.
The North-Central, according to him, could strengthen food production and processing while responsibly developing its mineral resources.
He identified manufacturing, technology, finance, trade and the creative economy as areas of opportunity for the South-West, while the South-East could build on its entrepreneurial and industrial strength through improved infrastructure, connectivity and investment.
For the South-South, Obi proposed greater value addition in oil and gas, alongside expansion in maritime services, fisheries and agriculture, with stronger environmental protection.
He also said the Federal Capital Territory should serve as an example of effective urban planning, transportation, housing, sanitation, security and public service delivery.
“Every region must produce. Every region must contribute. Every region must benefit,” he said.
Promise of a different standard of governance
Obi said his administration would focus on reforms that produce tangible improvements in the lives of citizens rather than reforms for their own sake.
He pledged to reduce wasteful expenditure while protecting investments in areas capable of expanding productive capacity and creating jobs.
He also promised to increase public revenue without suffocating businesses and to prioritise education, healthcare, security and infrastructure as investments in Nigeria’s future.
He said his administration would also seek to build institutions capable of surviving beyond individual administrations.
Call for issue-based 2027 campaign
Obi urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records and proposals of every presidential candidate and demand evidence behind campaign promises.
He appealed to political actors to debate ideas without hatred, compete without violence and respect the outcome of the election.
He also warned against campaigns based on ethnicity, religion, propaganda, elitism and cronyism.
According to him, the 2027 election should be determined by capacity, competence, compassion, character and commitment.
Challenge to presidential candidates
The former Anambra governor issued a direct challenge to presidential candidates to personally engage Nigerians rather than relying on proxies and surrogates.
He argued that candidates seeking to lead Nigeria must be prepared to travel across the country, visit communities affected by insecurity and flooding, listen to citizens and answer questions about their records and policies.
“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.
Obi announced that he and his running mate would personally take their campaign message across the country and engage directly with Nigerians.
He said they would listen to citizens, answer questions, defend their records and present their plan for rebuilding the country.
“A New Nigeria is possible”
Obi concluded by pledging to begin what he described as the journey of resetting Nigeria by uniting the country, strengthening security, promoting inclusive economic growth and moving the nation from consumption to production.
He said Nigerians deserved leaders who would listen to their concerns and provide practical solutions to insecurity, poverty, hunger, unemployment, poor education and inadequate healthcare.
“A New Nigeria is possible,” Obi declared.
He urged Nigerians to approach the 2027 election with a sense of national responsibility, insisting that the country’s future should be determined by competence, character, compassion and a shared commitment to building a united and prosperous nation.
God Almighty bless Nigeria.