Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has officially commenced his 2027 presidential campaign on the platform of the National Democratic Coalition, NDC, declaring that the election offers Nigerians a chance to assess records and choose leadership “at a time of grave uncertainty.”

In an address posted on his X account on Thursday, August 21, 2026, Obi said he was seeking Nigerians’ mandate again with one conviction.

“I enter this contest with one firm conviction: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work,” he stated.

Obi painted a grim picture of the country’s current realities, citing IMF data that 63% of Nigerians, or over 140 million people, live at or below the national poverty line.

He added that humanitarian agencies estimate 35 million people will need food assistance during the 2026 lean season, while about 3.6 million Nigerians remain internally displaced due to conflict.

“These are more than statistics. They reflect the daily realities of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students, and businesses,” Obi said.

Obi said his experience in the private sector and in government shaped his belief that “public office is not a reward; it is a responsibility.”

He pointed to investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and fiscal discipline during his tenure in Anambra.

He also referenced his running mate on the NDC ticket, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, noting the former Kano Governor’s focus on education, technical training, and human-capital development.

“Our experiences are different, but our conclusion is the same: Nigeria must invest in its people and manage public resources with discipline,” he said.

Obi said the 2027 election should be about results: Can Nigerians afford food, education, and healthcare? Can businesses create jobs? Can young people find work? Can farmers farm safely?

“Yet I do not believe Nigeria lacks the ability to overcome these challenges. We have the people, resources, market, talent, and enterprise. What we must do now is turn these strengths into security, productivity, and shared prosperity,” he concluded.

Source: Peter Obi, Official X Account, August 21, 2026