2027: Obi Kicks Off Presidential Campaign, Challenges Rivals To Defend Records Before Nigerians

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged all candidates in the 2027 presidential election to publicly defend their records and present their plans for Nigeria directly to citizens.

Obi made the call on Friday during a press conference held to officially flag off his presidential campaign, saying anyone seeking to lead the country must be willing to face Nigerians and subject their vision to public scrutiny.

According to the former Anambra State governor, presidential hopefuls should not hide behind political surrogates or representatives while asking Nigerians for their votes.

“Every candidate must be willing to present their credentials, defend their records, and subject their vision to open scrutiny,” Obi said.

“No candidate should hide behind the high walls of power, send proxies or surrogates… and expect Nigerians to entrust them with leadership of their country.

“Every candidate that seeks the presidency must have the courage to come before the people, answer their questions, defend their records, and subject their vision to public scrutiny.”

Obi also stressed that leadership requires empathy and direct engagement with citizens, particularly those affected by insecurity and natural disasters across the country.

He said a leader cannot effectively govern people without visiting communities devastated by banditry, terrorism, criminality, and flooding.

“You cannot truly lead a people you are unwilling to visit, listen to, and understand,” he said.

The NDC candidate pledged that he and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, would personally take their campaign across the country rather than rely on party officials or spokespersons.

“Today, I make a clear commitment that I and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso will take our message directly to Nigerians. We will listen to them, understand their concerns, and engage them openly. We will not delegate this process,” Obi stated.

“We will answer the questions, defend our record and character, and present our plan to rebuild Nigeria.”

Obi further argued that any presidential candidate unwilling to travel across Nigeria to engage citizens directly lacks the capacity to govern the country.

He said his campaign is focused on “resetting Nigeria” through national unity, improved security, economic recovery, and inclusive growth.

“I am committed to commencing the journey of resetting Nigeria by uniting it, securing it, on the path of economic and inclusive growth, and moving our country from consumption to production,” he added.