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….Promises Functional Healthcare Centres in All Wards, 10,000MW Additional Power, Massive Agricultural Revolution
Former presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi on Saturday accepted his nomination as the presidential flagbearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), declaring that “a New Nigeria is POssible” and unveiling an ambitious agenda focused on national unity, security, healthcare, education, agriculture, power supply, job creation, anti-corruption reforms and democratic governance.
Addressing party leaders, delegates and supporters in Abuja shortly after his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate, Obi said the 2027 presidential contest would be about rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges and rebuilding public confidence in governance.
“It is with deep humility that I accept the role of presidential candidate for our party,” Obi said.
He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the NDC, led by former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, members of the National Working Committee and party supporters across the country.
“I wish to assert unequivocally: a New Nigeria is Possible. This conviction has united us; it must serve as our compass on the challenging road ahead and sustain us through all trials we may face,” he declared.
According to him, the mission before the party transcends personal ambition.
“This pivotal moment transcends the individual ambitions of Peter Obi; it concerns the essence of our nation and the future of our children. It is about rekindling hope for millions who have faced adversity yet remain committed to Nigeria.”
The former Anambra State governor painted a grim picture of the nation’s current condition, saying many Nigerians had become uncertain about their future.
“Today, our nation finds itself at a crucial juncture, enveloped in uncertainty. Families are anxious about their safety; parents are concerned for their children’s futures; and talented youth increasingly question their prospects in their homeland.
“Businesses are struggling, communities are suffering, and an alarming number of citizens have lost faith in the very concept of governance. Yet, I stand before you filled with optimism and strong faith in the resilience of our people.”
Calls For National Unity
Obi identified national unity as the foundation upon which a prosperous Nigeria must be built, warning against divisions along ethnic, religious and regional lines.
“Nigeria cannot advance while fragmented by ethnic, religious, regional, or narrow political divides. We may communicate in different languages and practise diverse faiths, but we share a singular destiny under one flag.”
He urged Nigerians to embrace their diversity as a strength rather than a source of conflict.
“We should build bridges where others erect barriers, replace mistrust with confidence, division with understanding, and resentment with a collective purpose. A united Nigeria is indispensable.”
Quoting historian Will Durant, Obi warned that nations often collapse from internal divisions rather than external threats.
“A great civilisation is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within. We must never self-destruct. We must heal, unify, and progress together.”
Security Top Priority
On insecurity, Obi described the worsening security situation as unacceptable and pledged decisive action if elected.
“We must address insecurity with resolve and urgency, for no nation can thrive while its citizens live in trepidation. The primary responsibility of government is to ensure the safeguarding of lives and property.”
He lamented Nigeria’s rising position among countries most affected by terrorism and promised to adopt a modern security architecture.
“Our strategy will be intelligence-driven, technology-enhanced, proactive, and community-focused. We will fortify our security institutions, enhance operational coordination, support our courageous personnel, and tackle the underlying causes of insecurity—namely poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation.”
Obi stressed that farmers must be able to return safely to their farmlands, students must learn without fear and investors must regain confidence in the country.
Healthcare Reforms
The NDC candidate also unveiled ambitious healthcare targets, describing the nation’s health indicators as deeply troubling.
“Primary healthcare, the cornerstone of our medical system, remains severely not functional with only 10 per cent to 20 per cent of approximately 30,000 primary healthcare centres operational.”
He pledged to more than double health insurance coverage within four years and significantly increase government spending on healthcare.
“I pledge that within four years, our health insurance coverage will more than double to over 20 per cent.
“Within these four years, we will increase our healthcare budget to a minimum of 10 per cent of our GDP, up from the current level of below 5 per cent.”
Obi further promised that every one of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards would have a functional primary healthcare centre by the end of his first term.
“In four years, there will be a fully functional and properly managed primary healthcare centre in all 8,809 wards across the nation.”
Education, Jobs and Economic Revival
Describing education as the cornerstone of national development, Obi said no country could rise above the quality of its educational system.
“Our children are not burdens; they represent our most valuable assets.”
He promised heavy investments in schools, teachers, technology and vocational training aimed at creating a workforce capable of driving economic growth.
“We will invest heavily in schools, teachers, technology, and vocational training, ensuring that education equips our youth not only to seek employment but also to generate it.”
The presidential candidate also pledged urgent interventions to tackle unemployment and underemployment, particularly among young Nigerians.
“We will aggressively support the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises through targeted tax incentives, special interest rates, and accessible funding in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment, sports, and distribution.”
Hunger, Agriculture and Food Security
Highlighting rising hunger levels across the country, Obi described it as unacceptable that Nigeria remained among the world’s hungriest nations despite its vast arable land.
“The World Food Programme estimates that over 35 million Nigerians will face acute hunger and food insecurity this year. This is unconscionable, given our vast expanses of uncultivated land.”
He argued that Nigeria possessed greater land resources per capita than several major rice-producing nations and therefore had no excuse for food shortages.
“The foregoing clearly illustrates that we have absolutely no justification for being among the world’s hungriest nations.”
According to him, agricultural transformation would form a central pillar of his administration’s economic strategy.
“Transitioning our nation from a state of consumption to one of production, through significant investments in agriculture, is the sole dependable strategy to escape the current depths of hunger and poverty.”
Power Sector Overhaul
Obi also promised to confront Nigeria’s chronic electricity shortages, describing power supply as one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth.
“Nigeria today is the nation with the highest number of citizens lacking access to electricity globally.”
He noted that Nigeria currently generates and distributes only about 4,000 megawatts of electricity despite having a population exceeding 200 million.
“Over the next four years, I commit to ensuring a minimum of 10,000MW increase in power generation and distribution.”
He said improving electricity supply would boost industrial production, support businesses and stimulate economic growth nationwide.
Anti-Corruption, Rule of Law and Democracy
Obi assured Nigerians that public resources would be managed transparently and responsibly under his leadership.
“Nigerians will witness a tangible and verifiable reduction in corruption and the baseline costs associated with governance.”
He added that government spending would be subjected to strict accountability measures.
“Public resources will be managed with absolute transparency, prudence, and accountability to ensure that every naira spent yields demonstrable value for the citizenry.”
The NDC candidate further pledged strict adherence to constitutional principles and the rule of law.
“The rule of law will be fiercely upheld, and adherence to it will be sacrosanct for both government officials and citizens alike.”
On democracy, Obi promised a political environment that respects opposition parties and protects democratic institutions.
“Our democracy will exemplify true governance of the people, by the people, and for the people, completely free from interference by the ruling party.”
He concluded by assuring Nigerians that his administration would pursue governance based on fairness, integrity and transparency.
“Under my leadership, democracy will be pursued with integrity, fairness, and transparency.”
The acceptance speech marks the formal commencement of Obi’s presidential campaign under the NDC platform, setting the stage for what is expected to be a highly contested race for Nigeria’s highest office.
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