May 30 (THEWILL) — Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election after securing a unanimous endorsement at the party’s special convention.
Obi’s emergence was confirmed on Saturday at the party’s special convention in Abuja, where he was unanimously endorsed by delegates following a motion moved by Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District.
The motion was seconded by former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, and subsequently approved through a voice vote by delegates and party members present at the convention, in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In his acceptance speech, Obi expressed gratitude to party leaders, including former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, the National Chairman, National Secretary, and members of the National Working Committee, as well as supporters nationwide.
“It is with deep humility that I accept the role of presidential candidate for our party. I express my profound gratitude to the leaders of our party, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, the National Chairman, National Secretary and the National Working Committee members of our relentless supporters, and the Nigerian populace who have steadfastly kept the spirit of hope alive,” he said.
He said Nigeria was currently grappling with insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public confidence in governance, warning that the situation had deepened national frustration.
“Businesses are struggling, communities are suffering, and an alarming number of citizens have lost faith in the very concept of governance. Yet, I stand before you filled with optimism and strong faith in the resilience of our people, for I firmly believe that a New Nigeria is possible,” Obi said.
On security, Obi said Nigeria’s situation had deteriorated significantly, citing global terrorism impact rankings that placed the country among the most affected worldwide.
“In terms of security, the situation in Nigeria has considerably worsened. The global terrorism impact assessments ranked Nigeria as the 8th most affected nation in 2022, 6th in 2024, and 4th in 2026,” he stated.
He pledged a technology-driven and intelligence-led security framework aimed at addressing both immediate threats and root causes such as poverty and unemployment.
On healthcare, Obi decried poor health indicators, including infant mortality rates and low insurance coverage, promising major reforms to expand access and strengthen the system.
“Nigeria suffers from one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world… I pledge that within four years, our health insurance coverage will more than double to over 20 per cent,” he said.
On energy, Obi described Nigeria’s electricity deficit as a major barrier to economic growth, noting that the country currently generates about 4,000 megawatts for over 200 million people.
He stressed that reliable electricity would serve as a foundation for industrialisation, productivity, and job creation.
“Over the next four years, I commit to ensuring a minimum of 10,000 MW power generation and distribution,” he declared.
Obi also addressed unemployment, arguing that official figures understate the scale of Nigeria’s labour market challenges.
He pledged support for small and medium-scale enterprises, youth entrepreneurship, and structural reforms aimed at reducing corruption and the cost of governance.
In a major political development at the convention, Obi also announced former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
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