Obi Promises War on Corruption, Emergencies in Agriculture, Power if Elected President

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has promised sweeping reforms in security, agriculture, education, healthcare, electricity and small business financing, saying Nigerians need a new leadership capable of addressing the country’s challenges.

 

Obi, who is contesting the 2027 presidential election alongside his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, spoke on Monday night in Abuja during the inauguration of the party’s 118-member National Presidential Campaign Council and the presentation of certificates of return to its candidates.

 

He criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of lacking the competence, capacity, compassion and commitment required to address Nigeria’s problems.

 

“Everything is collapsing. Nigerians are looking for new leadership, and I can assure you that we will provide it,” Obi said.

 

The event followed an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee and the inauguration of its newly acquired national secretariat at 393 Etang Obuli Crescent, Jabi, Abuja, which will serve as its administrative headquarters and presidential campaign coordination centre.

 

Obi said his proposed administration would focus on solving problems rather than blaming previous governments, insisting that Nigerians should judge leaders by measurable improvements in their living conditions.

 

“The purpose of governance is to solve problems, not to blame people. Kwankwaso and I will not blame anybody. We will create that new Nigeria that is possible,” he said.

 

Obi promises anti-corruption drive

 

The former Anambra State governor identified corruption as a major obstacle to economic development, effective public service delivery and national prosperity, promising an aggressive campaign against the misuse of public funds.

 

He questioned the outcomes of government borrowing and expenditure in recent years, arguing that public resources had failed to translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

 

“We must stop people from stealing public money. We must use public money for public good. And that will be seen, it will be shown,” he said.

 

Obi promised that public officials found culpable of corruption under his proposed administration would be held accountable.

 

He also challenged the Federal Government to explain how revenues and borrowed funds had been spent, citing concerns about capital expenditure under the 2023, 2024 and 2025 budgets and reports of payment difficulties facing government contractors.

 

The NDC candidate said his government would be judged by its performance rather than its explanations of inherited problems.

 

“We don’t want you to hire us to tell you about our problem. It’s only in Nigeria that you hire people and they start reminding you of what happened in the past. No, we don’t want you to hire us. We want you to hire us to improve from today,” he said.

 

Promises emergency action on security, agriculture

 

Obi identified insecurity as another major challenge requiring urgent intervention, promising to prioritise communities affected by killings, kidnappings and other criminal activities.

 

He argued that the president should be physically present and directly involved when emergencies occur, rather than remain distant from affected communities.

 

“If they say there is a problem in Jos, he will go to Jos,” Obi said, describing his vision of a president who would respond directly to crises.

 

He also pledged to declare an emergency in agriculture, particularly in northern Nigeria, where insecurity has disrupted farming and limited the use of the region’s agricultural potential.

 

“We have vast land in the north. When we secure the north, our farmers must go back and produce what we eat and what we use for our industries,” he said.

 

Obi linked agricultural recovery to increased food production, lower food prices, job creation and reduced dependence on imports.

 

Targets for education and healthcare

 

On education, Obi expressed concern about the number of Nigerian children outside the formal school system, promising to improve access to basic education and reduce the number of out-of-school children.

 

He said educational policies under his proposed administration would be assessed through measurable outcomes rather than announcements and campaign promises.

 

The NDC candidate also pledged to establish a functional primary healthcare centre in every ward across the country within two years if elected.

 

He argued that preventable deaths caused by inadequate access to medical facilities and essential services should no longer be accepted as inevitable.

 

Obi said improved healthcare and education would require responsible public spending, effective planning and accountability across government institutions.

 

He also advocated a society where children from poor households could succeed based on their abilities and opportunities rather than political connections.

 

“We must create a society where a child of nobody will be somebody without knowing anybody,” he said.

 

Obi promises electricity sector overhaul

 

The presidential candidate also promised emergency interventions in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, arguing that reliable power was essential for industrial growth, job creation and improved productivity.

 

“We will declare emergency on generation, transmission and distribution,” he said.

 

He said unreliable electricity continued to increase operating costs for households, small businesses and manufacturers, limiting their ability to expand and create jobs.

 

Obi also called for the revival of struggling industries, including manufacturing establishments in Kano, arguing that Nigeria needed to move away from excessive dependence on consumption and borrowing towards production and enterprise development.

 

He said industrial recovery would create employment, increase household incomes and strengthen the domestic economy.

 

Targets increased credit for small businesses

 

Obi identified access to finance as a major challenge facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which he described as essential to job creation and economic resilience.

 

Citing figures indicating that Nigeria had more than 40 million SMEs, he claimed that the businesses received less than five per cent of bank lending and credit.

 

He promised to increase the share of credit available to small businesses to more than 20 per cent under an NDC administration.

 

“We will put a mark to it. We will ensure that over 20% of the credits will go to small businesses. We will support them,” he said.

 

He also pledged to explore tax holidays and other relief measures to help small businesses survive their early years, expand operations and employ more Nigerians.

 

According to him, reducing the financial and regulatory burdens on small enterprises would encourage entrepreneurship and help address unemployment.

 

Demands credible 2027 elections

 

Obi also called for free, fair and credible elections in 2027, warning against electoral manipulation and the harassment of NDC supporters.

 

He urged party members to campaign across the country and persuade voters through their policies and ideas.

 

“The revolution that is coming is a revolution of the ballot,” he said, stressing that the party intended to pursue political change through democratic means.

 

He also appealed for civility in political competition, saying peaceful conduct should not be mistaken for weakness.

 

“Humility and civility is not weakness. It is a virtue. Good behaviour is not weakness. It is a virtue,” he said.

 

Obi pledged to engage directly with Nigerians across the federation, particularly communities affected by insecurity, poverty and economic hardship.

 

He criticised what he described as excessive foreign travel by Tinubu and argued that Nigeria needed a president who would devote sufficient attention to domestic challenges.

 

He said his proposed administration would prioritise accessibility, accountability and measurable results, insisting that public officials must demonstrate how their decisions improve the lives of citizens.

 

The NDC candidate maintained that the 2027 election should give Nigerians a clear choice between competing visions for the country, urging supporters to take the party’s message to communities nationwide.