Peter Obi Pledges to Unite Nigeria, Tackle Insecurity and Create Jobs if Elected in 2027

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to unite Nigeria, tackle insecurity and lift millions of citizens out of poverty if elected president in the 2027 general election.

Obi made the promises on Tuesday during a town hall meeting with supporters in Jos, Plateau State, where he outlined national unity, security, economic recovery and accountable leadership as the priorities of his proposed administration.

He described Nigeria as deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines, saying his first responsibility as president would be to promote national unity.

“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 said.

On security, the former Anambra State governor promised to end the killings, kidnappings and displacement of citizens across the country. He said Nigerians should be able to live without the constant fear of attacks and losing their loved ones.

“I assure you that no mother will continue to cry over the loss of her children. No woman should experience the pain of losing her husband, and no father should suffer the agony of losing his wife,” he stated.

Obi also promised to prioritise the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral communities, arguing that the continued existence of displacement camps reflected a failure of governance.

“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,” he said.

He warned that his proposed administration would take decisive action against kidnappers and other criminal groups, insisting that those responsible for abducting citizens would be pursued.

Recalling visits to communities affected by violence in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu local government areas of Plateau State, Obi said the suffering of victims had strengthened his determination to seek the presidency.

He explained that the town hall meetings were intended to make leadership more responsive to citizens by allowing them to express their needs, rather than simply listening to politicians deliver campaign promises.

“When you want to serve, you must listen to the people. When we come for campaigns, we only talk and we don’t listen to the people. We have decided that leadership must be demand-driven,” he said.

On the 2027 elections, Obi urged Nigerians to remain at polling units after voting to ensure that their votes were counted, recorded and transmitted. He described voter participation and election monitoring as responsibilities citizens must take seriously.

“Don’t vote and go home. Take that day as the one day you are giving to Nigeria as a patriotic Nigerian,” he urged.

Outlining his economic plans, Obi said Nigeria must move away from a consumption-driven economy towards production, arguing that stronger local production would create jobs and improve living standards.

He linked insecurity to economic difficulties in Plateau State, saying farmers had been prevented from accessing their farms while businesses had suffered disruptions.

The NDC candidate also promised to improve access to credit for small businesses, saying entrepreneurs needed funding to expand their operations and employ more people.

“I know what it means to access funding. I have been a director and chairman of a financial institution, and I understand how banks operate,” he said.

He added that his administration would ensure that a portion of available banking credit was directed towards small businesses to support their growth.

On corruption, Obi pledged to ensure that public resources were used for the benefit of citizens, arguing that public funds must serve public interests.

“I will fight corruption. Public money must be used for public good. Today, public money is wrongly being used, and that must change,” he stated.

The former governor also identified education as a priority, expressing concern over Nigeria’s estimated 18 million out-of-school children. He promised investment in classrooms, teachers and functional schools to improve access to education.

“We want our children to go back to school. We want our schools to work. The more educated you are as a nation, the more developed you become,” he said.

On healthcare, Obi promised to strengthen primary healthcare centres and improve access to medical services, particularly in communities without functional health facilities. He said the move would help address maternal and infant mortality.

He further pledged to protect vulnerable Nigerians, including low-income earners, older citizens and persons living with disabilities.

Earlier, during a courtesy visit to the Plateau State Traditional Council, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, appealed to politicians and Nigerians to prevent political activities from worsening insecurity.

“We want to appeal to all politicians and all Nigerians that we should not allow politics to worsen our situation. We already have insecurity, and we must be determined to live with each other in peace and with respect for one another,” the traditional ruler said.

He also prayed for divine guidance in the emergence of a leader capable of governing the country effectively and urged political actors to promote peaceful conduct throughout the electioneering period.