Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has formally commenced his campaign for the 2027 presidential election, promising Nigerians a functional economy driven by discipline, accountability, productivity and measurable results.
Obi made the declaration in an address to Nigerians and members of the press on Friday, August 21, 2026, following the official commencement of campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections on August 19.
Describing the election as a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy, Obi said the polls would provide voters with an opportunity to scrutinise the records, ideas, competence and programmes of candidates seeking their mandate.
“I enter this contest with one firm conviction: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work,” Obi said.
He said Nigeria was facing serious challenges, including widespread poverty, insecurity, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity and the high cost of doing business.
According to him, these challenges were not merely statistics but realities affecting families, farmers, workers, students and businesses across the country.
“These are more than statistics. They reflect the daily realities of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students, and businesses,” he said.
Despite the challenges, the former Anambra governor expressed optimism that Nigeria possessed the human and material resources needed to reverse its fortunes and build a more productive economy.
“We have the people, resources, market, talent, and enterprise. What we must do now is turn these strengths into security, productivity, and shared prosperity,” Obi said.
Obi: Public Office Is a Responsibility
Obi said his academic background and experience as governor of Anambra State had shaped his understanding of leadership, public administration and responsible management of public resources.
He argued that government must establish clear priorities, manage public funds prudently and measure the outcomes of its policies against their impact on citizens.
“Public office is not a reward; it is a responsibility to the people,” he said.
Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Anambra State, Obi said his administration prioritised education, healthcare, infrastructure, fiscal discipline and institutional capacity.
He acknowledged that his administration was not without shortcomings but urged Nigerians to independently assess its record and results.
Obi Highlights Kwankwaso’s Experience
Obi also highlighted the governing experience of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing his record as different but complementary to his own experience.
According to Obi, Kwankwaso’s tenure in Kano focused on education, technical training, scholarships, infrastructure 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,” Obi said.
The former governor said the country needed to move beyond reactive economic reforms and concentrate on policies capable of producing tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
‘Are Nigerians Better Off?’
Obi said the 2027 election should be about measurable outcomes and the quality of life of Nigerians, rather than political rhetoric.
He posed a series of questions which he said should shape the national conversation ahead of the election.
“Are Nigerians better off than they were four years ago? Can they afford food, education, and healthcare? Can businesses produce, expand, and create jobs?” he asked.
He also questioned whether young Nigerians could secure productive employment and whether farmers could work safely and transport their produce to markets.
According to Obi, the answers to these questions should form part of the basis upon which Nigerians assess the performance of the current administration and the promises of those seeking to govern the country from 2027.
He said the 2027 election offered Nigerians an opportunity to decide whether the country would continue along its current trajectory or embrace a new approach centred on security, productivity, responsible governance and shared prosperity.
Obi called on Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process and make their choices based on competence, character, experience and the capacity of candidates to deliver measurable improvements in the lives of citizens.