Peter Obi accepts NDC presidential ticket, confirms Kwankwaso as running mate

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has accepted the presidential ticket of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, pledging to tackle insecurity, hunger, poor healthcare, unemployment and corruption if elected president.

Mr Obi was formally nominated as the party’s presidential candidate at an event in Abuja on Saturday, where he also announced former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Obi described Nigeria as a nation at a critical crossroads, saying millions of citizens had lost confidence in governance amid worsening economic hardship and insecurity.“A New Nigeria is Possible,” he declared repeatedly, describing the slogan as a guiding principle for his campaign and a source of hope for Nigerians seeking change.The former Labour Party presidential candidate said his ambition was not about personal interest but about restoring confidence in the country and creating opportunities for future generations.“This pivotal moment transcends the individual ambitions of Peter Obi. It concerns the essence of our nation and the future of our children,” he said.

Focus on unity

Mr Obi called for national unity, warning against ethnic, religious and regional divisions.According to him, Nigeria’s diversity should be seen 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,” he said.He argued that no meaningful development could take place in a divided country and urged Nigerians to embrace a common national identity.

Security concerns

The NDC candidate identified insecurity as one of the country’s most urgent challenges, citing Nigeria’s worsening position in global terrorism rankings.He said his administration would adopt an intelligence-driven and technology-based approach to combating insecurity while addressing underlying issues such as poverty, unemployment and marginalisation.“The primary responsibility of government is to ensure the safeguarding of lives and property,” he said.

Mr Obi added that farmers must be able to return safely to their farms, students should learn without fear, and investors must regain confidence in the country.

Healthcare and education reforms

On healthcare, Mr Obi promised to increase health insurance coverage from the current level of about 10 per cent to more than 20 per cent within four years.He also pledged to raise healthcare spending and improve the functionality of primary healthcare centres across the country.

According to him, at least half of Nigeria’s estimated 30,000 primary healthcare centres would become fully functional by the end of his first term.

Education, he said, would remain central to his administration’s agenda.

“Countries that have transformed successfully have done so through sustained investment in human capital,” he said.He promised increased investment in schools, teachers, technology and vocational education to equip young Nigerians with skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

Hunger, agriculture and power

Mr Obi described Nigeria’s growing food crisis as unacceptable, noting that millions of citizens face food insecurity despite the country’s vast agricultural potential.He said large-scale investment in agriculture would be a key strategy for reducing hunger and poverty while boosting productivity.The presidential candidate also pledged to improve electricity generation and distribution, promising an additional 10,000 megawatts of power within four years.Nigeria currently generates and distributes about 4,000 megawatts for a population exceeding 200 million people.

According to him, the country’s persistent power deficit has continued to constrain businesses and economic growth.Jobs, corruption and democracyAddressing unemployment, Mr Obi said his administration would support micro, small and medium enterprises through tax incentives, affordable financing and targeted investments in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, sports, entertainment and trade.

He also promised to reduce the cost of governance and strengthen transparency in the management of public resources.

“Public resources will be managed with absolute transparency, prudence and accountability,” he said.

On democratic governance, Mr Obi pledged respect for opposition parties and promised to uphold the rule of law.He said democracy under his leadership would be based on fairness, integrity and transparency.

Kwankwaso named running mate

In one of the biggest announcements of the event, Mr Obi unveiled former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his vice-presidential candidate.He said the partnership would be built on collaboration and mutual respect.

“The Vice President will be a partner, not a spare tyre,” he said.The announcement drew applause from party supporters gathered at the venue, setting the stage for what could become one of the most closely watched political alliances ahead of the 2027 general election.

With his acceptance speech, Mr Obi formally launched a campaign centred on national unity, economic recovery, institutional reforms and improved governance as the race for Nigeria’s highest office begins to gather momentum.