…Nigeria Can Work, Must Work as 2027 Presidential Campaign Begins
Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared that Nigeria can overcome its economic, security and social challenges, insisting that the country must urgently move from consumption to production.
Obi made the declaration in an address to Nigerians and members of the press to mark the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
He said the commencement of the campaign period on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, presented Nigerians with an opportunity to critically examine the records, competence, ideas and policy proposals of all candidates seeking their mandate.
According to him, the 2027 election will be a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy, coming at a time when the country is confronted by widespread poverty, insecurity, unemployment, weak infrastructure and the high cost of living.
Obi said available economic and humanitarian data painted a troubling picture of the conditions facing millions of Nigerians, including widespread poverty, food insecurity, internal displacement and limited employment opportunities for young people entering the labour market.
He, however, rejected the notion that Nigeria lacked the resources or capacity to overcome its difficulties, arguing that the country possessed the population, natural resources, entrepreneurial spirit and domestic market required to build a prosperous economy.
“Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work,” Obi said, stressing that public leadership must be measured by tangible improvements in the lives of citizens rather than by promises or political rhetoric.
The former governor said his experience in the private sector, academic exposure, and tenure as governor of Anambra State had strengthened his conviction that government must manage public resources responsibly, establish clear priorities and measure the results of its policies.
He said his administration in Anambra focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, fiscal discipline and institutional development, adding that he did not present the record as perfect but as an experience Nigerians could independently assess.
Obi also highlighted the governing experience of his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, particularly his focus on education, technical training, scholarships, infrastructure and human capital development during his tenure as governor of Kano State.
On the economy, Obi said a government under his leadership would prioritise production, investment, enterprise and human capital, while creating an environment in which businesses could invest, employ workers and expand without unnecessary regulatory and infrastructural constraints.
He promised to improve agricultural productivity through better security, irrigation, rural roads, storage facilities, financing and market access, while strengthening manufacturing and agro-processing to enable Nigeria to export more finished products.
On security, Obi said Nigeria needed stronger intelligence gathering, better coordination among security agencies, improved policing and border management, wider use of technology and lawful community-based systems capable of identifying threats early.
He also advocated decentralised security management supported by effective coordination between the federal, state and local levels, arguing that insecurity must be addressed alongside the economic and social conditions that make vulnerable young people susceptible to criminal recruitment.
Obi further promised to invest in education, technical and vocational training, healthcare, maternal and child health, infrastructure and productive sectors across the six geopolitical zones, saying every region must be enabled to develop its comparative advantages and contribute to national prosperity.
He said the North-West could expand agriculture, livestock, irrigation and manufacturing; the North-East required accelerated reconstruction and livelihood restoration; the North-Central could strengthen agriculture and responsible mineral development, while the South-West could deepen its manufacturing, technology, finance and creative sectors.
According to him, the South-East’s entrepreneurial and industrial capacity could be strengthened through improved infrastructure and access to investment, while the South-South could derive greater value from oil and gas and develop maritime services, fisheries and agriculture with stronger environmental safeguards.
Obi said the Federal Capital Territory should also demonstrate the benefits of efficient urban planning, transportation, housing, sanitation, security and public services.
He promised to pursue fiscal discipline while protecting productive investments in education, healthcare, security and infrastructure, insisting that public revenue must be increased without suffocating businesses and that wasteful expenditure must be reduced.
The former Anambra governor urged Nigerians to scrutinise every candidate’s record, credentials and policy proposals during the campaign, warning against propaganda, ethnic and religious mobilisation, elitism and political cronyism.
He called for issue-based campaigns conducted without hatred or violence, stressing that the outcome of the 2027 election must be respected and that citizens must continue to demand transparency, accountability and measurable results after election day.
Obi said he and his running mate would travel across the country to engage Nigerians directly, listen to their concerns and explain their plans, insisting that presidential candidates should not hide behind surrogates or proxies during a national election.
He said effective leadership required physical presence, empathy and an understanding of the realities confronting communities affected by insecurity, criminality, terrorism, banditry and flooding.
Obi concluded by pledging to reset Nigeria by uniting the country, strengthening security, promoting inclusive economic growth and moving the nation decisively from consumption to production.
“A New Nigeria is possible,” he said, urging Nigerians to join the journey towards a safer, more productive and prosperous country.