Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pledged to unite the nation, address widespread insecurity, and lift millions of citizens out of poverty if elected President in 2027. Speaking at a town hall meeting with supporters in Jos, Plateau State, on Tuesday, Obi outlined national unity, security, economic recovery, and accountable leadership as the core priorities of his prospective administration.
Obi emphasized the urgent need to bridge the country's social divides, stating, “Our number one commitment is to unite the Federal Republic of Nigeria because today we have no unity. We are divided along tribal and religious lines. That should not be. We are Nigerians.” He further vowed to end the daily killings, kidnappings, and displacement of citizens, declaring that his government would ensure no mother cries over the loss of a child and no family suffers the agony of losing a spouse due to violence.
“If any Nigerian remains in an Internally Displaced Persons camp, we have failed. Once one Nigerian is in an IDP camp, the entire Nigeria is in an IDP camp. People must return to their homes,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor warned that his administration would take decisive action against criminal elements, specifically targeting kidnappers. “Nobody will kidnap two children and disappear into the bush. If you kidnap children and go into the bush, you will not be alone there. We will come after you,” he stated. Obi noted that his visits to troubled communities in the Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu local government areas of Plateau State, where he witnessed the plight of violence victims, informed his decision to seek the presidency.
On the economic front, Obi argued that Nigeria must transition from a consumption-driven to a production-based economy to generate employment and improve living standards. He pledged to increase bank credit availability for small businesses to foster growth and job creation, drawing on his experience as a former director and chairman of a financial institution. Additionally, he committed to fighting corruption to ensure public resources serve the public good, and highlighted the need to address the crisis of approximately 18 million out-of-school children by investing in classrooms, teachers, and functional schools.
Obi also promised to strengthen primary healthcare centers to reduce maternal and infant mortality, noting that many communities currently lack functional hospitals. He urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility for the integrity of the 2027 elections, advising voters to remain at polling units until their votes are properly recorded and transmitted. “In the next election, every voter is an agent. Don’t vote and go home... Your vote must be counted, recorded and transmitted,” he said.
During a separate courtesy visit to the Plateau State Traditional Council, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, warned political actors and citizens not to allow electioneering activities to exacerbate the region's existing insecurity.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
