PORT HARCOURT — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged voters in Rivers State to participate actively in the 2027 general elections and insist on an electoral process in which their votes are properly counted and their mandate respected.
Obi made the call during the NDC Obi-Talks Port Harcourt Town Hall, held as part of the party’s ongoing engagement with citizens ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former Anambra State governor arrived in Port Harcourt after attending the Daily Times 100th anniversary celebration in Abuja, where he was subsequently received by NDC members and supporters led by the party’s Rivers State governorship candidate, Chief Barrister Dumo Lulu-Briggs.
The town hall provided a platform for Obi and other party leaders to engage directly with residents and discuss issues affecting households and communities across the country.
Among the issues raised were unemployment, healthcare, education, insecurity, poverty and the wider challenge of creating sustainable economic opportunities for Nigerians.
Obi used the interaction to reiterate his position that Nigeria’s development must be anchored on investments in education, healthcare and poverty reduction, which he described as fundamental pillars for building a productive and prosperous society.
According to him, Nigeria possesses significant human and material resources but requires leadership capable of converting those resources into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
Lessons from Other Countries
Speaking on the need for Nigeria to learn from countries that have successfully addressed challenges similar to those confronting the country, Obi referenced developments in Bangladesh, Indonesia and India.
He pointed to Bangladesh’s progress in rice production, Indonesia’s expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises and India’s efforts to reduce poverty as examples of how focused public policies and effective leadership can produce measurable outcomes.
The NDC candidate argued that the experiences of these countries demonstrated that national transformation was possible when governments combined competent leadership with accountability, consistency and policies designed around the welfare and economic empowerment of citizens.
He maintained that Nigeria’s challenges should not be regarded as insurmountable, insisting that the country could achieve significant progress if its institutions were strengthened and public resources were deployed efficiently.
‘Rivers Votes Must Count’
A major focus of Obi’s address was the 2027 electoral process.
He said he was particularly encouraged by what he described as the renewed determination of Rivers residents to participate in the elections and protect the integrity of their votes.
Obi declared that the people of Rivers State must be allowed to freely express their choice at the ballot box and have that choice reflected in the final results.
“The people of Rivers State will vote, and their votes MUST count,” he said.
He further argued that political leaders could only legitimately be regarded as elected representatives when they emerged from a free, fair and credible electoral process.
According to him, Rivers State has an opportunity to demonstrate that credible elections are possible by setting a standard for electoral transparency in 2027.
Call for Institutional Renewal
Obi linked the issue of credible elections to his broader call for institutional reform, saying Nigeria’s democratic institutions must be strong enough to protect the choices of voters regardless of political affiliation.
He said the NDC’s objective extends beyond winning elections, describing the party’s mission as one of rescuing the country, rebuilding institutions and restoring hope to Nigerians.
The former governor also emphasised the importance of citizen participation, suggesting that Nigerians should not leave the responsibility of determining the country’s political future solely to politicians.
He urged citizens to become more involved in the democratic process and to hold elected officials accountable for their promises and stewardship of public resources.
Appreciation to Party Leaders and Supporters
Obi expressed appreciation to the NDC Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Rivers State governorship candidate, Chief Barrister Dumo Lulu-Briggs, members of his campaign and mobilisation team, the Rivers State Working Committee and the NDC National Working Committee led by National Chairman Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe.
He also thanked party supporters, friends and well-wishers who attended the Port Harcourt engagement.
The town hall forms part of the political mobilisation and public engagement activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the NDC seeking to deepen its engagement with voters and present its policy priorities to Nigerians.
Obi concluded by restating his optimism about Nigeria’s future, saying the country’s current difficulties could be overcome through purposeful leadership, stronger institutions and greater citizen participation.
“Our task is to rescue Nigeria, rebuild our institutions, and restore hope to our people,” he said, adding: “A New Nigeria is Possible, and Nigeria will be OK.”
