Peter Obi: Nigeria Can Work, and Nigeria Must Work

Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said Nigeria can overcome its current challenges, declaring that “Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work.”

Obi made the statement in an address marking the commencement of the 2027 presidential and National Assembly campaign period.

According to him, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, marked the official beginning of campaigns for the 2027 elections, describing the period as a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy.

He said the campaign would give Nigerians the opportunity to assess the records, ideas and plans of candidates seeking their mandate at a time of what he described as grave uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.

“I consider myself quite privileged to be one of those seeking your mandate to deal with these challenges facing our country,” Obi said.

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

Obi highlighted poverty, food insecurity, internal displacement, unemployment, weak infrastructure, unreliable electricity, insecurity and the high cost of doing business among the major challenges confronting the country.

Citing figures attributed to the International Monetary Fund, Obi said 63 per cent of Nigerians, representing more than 140 million people, live at or below the national poverty line.

He also referenced humanitarian estimates indicating that about 35 million Nigerians would require food assistance during the 2026 lean season, while about 3.6 million people remain internally displaced, largely as a result of conflict and insecurity.

The former Anambra State governor said the figures represented more than statistics, arguing that they reflected the everyday struggles of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students and businesses.

Despite the challenges, Obi said he remained confident in Nigeria’s ability to overcome them.

He said the country possesses the people, resources, market, talent and entrepreneurial capacity needed to build a prosperous economy, but stressed that these strengths must be converted into security, productivity and shared prosperity.

Obi said his experience in the private sector, studies in policy and business and his time as governor of Anambra State had shaped his understanding of public leadership.

According to him, government must manage public resources responsibly, establish clear priorities and measure the results of its decisions.

“Public office is not a reward; it is a responsibility to the people,” he said.

Reflecting on his record in Anambra, Obi said his administration prioritised education, healthcare, infrastructure, fiscal discipline and institutional capacity as foundations for long-term development.

He acknowledged that his record was not perfect but said it represented an experience from which Nigerians could draw their own conclusions.

Obi also highlighted the governing experience of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing their experiences as different but complementary.

He said Kwankwaso’s administration in Kano focused on education, technical training, scholarships, infrastructure and human-capital development.

According to Obi, investments in education and skills demonstrated the importance of treating people as the most important long-term resource of any state.

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

On the economy, Obi said Nigeria needed to move beyond reactive reforms and focus on whether government policies were actually improving the lives of citizens.

He questioned whether Nigerians were better off than they were four years ago, whether families could afford food, education and healthcare, and whether businesses could produce, expand and create jobs.

He also raised questions about opportunities for young Nigerians and the ability of farmers to work safely and transport their produce to markets.

Obi said these questions should remain central to the 2027 election debate as Nigerians assess the candidates seeking to lead the country.