VIRAL VIDEO: Rousing Moment Peter Obi Chooses Kwankwaso As Running Mate For 2027 Presidential Election
FORMER Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Coalition (NDC) for the 2027 general election, pledging to tackle insecurity, hunger, unemployment, corruption and poor governance if elected president.
Obi was formally endorsed at a special national convention of the coalition held in Abuja on Saturday, where party leaders and delegates unanimously ratified his nomination ahead of the next presidential election.
In a major political development, Obi also announced former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as his running mate, describing him as a genuine partner in governance rather than a ceremonial deputy.
The endorsement followed a motion moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, during the convention attended by party stakeholders from across the country.
Obi promises ‘New Nigeria’
Delivering his acceptance speech, Obi expressed gratitude to party leaders, supporters and Nigerians who, according to him, have continued to keep hope alive despite the country’s challenges.
He specifically acknowledged the role of former Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, whom he described as a key leader of the coalition.
“It is with deep humility that I accept the role of presidential candidate for our party,” Obi declared.
Reiterating his popular campaign slogan, the former governor insisted that “a New Nigeria is Possible,” stressing that the 2027 election would be about the future of the nation rather than individual political ambitions.
According to him, Nigeria currently stands at a critical crossroads marked by insecurity, economic hardship and declining public confidence in governance.
“This pivotal moment transcends the individual ambitions of Peter Obi; it concerns the essence of our nation and the future of our children. It is about rekindling hope for millions who have faced adversity yet remain committed to Nigeria,” he said.
Calls for national unity
Obi identified national unity as a key requirement for rebuilding the country, warning against ethnic, religious and regional divisions.
He said Nigeria’s diversity should be harnessed as a strength rather than allowed to become a source of conflict.
“Nigeria cannot advance while fragmented by ethnic, religious, regional, or narrow political divides. We may communicate in different languages and practise diverse faiths, but we share a singular destiny under one flag,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to replace mistrust and resentment with collective purpose and understanding, insisting that a united nation would be better positioned to overcome its numerous challenges.
Security tops agenda
Addressing insecurity, Obi described the worsening security situation as one of the gravest threats facing the country.
He cited international terrorism rankings that reportedly placed Nigeria among the countries most affected by terrorism in recent years, lamenting what he described as a decline from the nation’s previous reputation as a respected contributor to global peacekeeping operations.
The NDC candidate promised an intelligence-driven and technology-backed security strategy aimed at restoring safety across the country.
According to him, farmers must be able to return to their farms without fear, students should learn in secure environments and investors must regain confidence in Nigeria.
“Our strategy will be intelligence-driven, technology-enhanced, proactive and community-focused. We will fortify our security institutions, enhance operational coordination, support our courageous personnel and tackle the underlying causes of insecurity,” he stated.
Healthcare reform plans
On healthcare, Obi described the nation’s health sector as being in crisis, citing low insurance coverage and the poor condition of primary healthcare facilities.
He pledged to more than double health insurance coverage within four years and significantly increase government spending on healthcare.
The former governor also promised that every ward in the country would have a functional primary healthcare centre under his administration.
“Within these four years, we will increase our healthcare budget to a minimum of 10 per cent of GDP and ensure that at least 50 per cent of Nigeria’s 30,000 primary healthcare centres become fully functional and properly staffed,” he said.
Education, jobs and economic revival
Obi further pledged massive investments in education, technology and vocational training, describing education as the foundation of national development.
According to him, Nigeria’s young population represents the country’s greatest asset and should be equipped with skills that enable them to create wealth and employment.
He also outlined plans to tackle unemployment by supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through tax incentives, low-interest financing and targeted interventions in agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment, sports and distribution.
“Our large pool of talented youth remains largely unemployed. The actual rates of unemployment and underemployment exceed 30 per cent, while youth unemployment is over 40 per cent. This requires urgent action,” he said.
Agriculture and food security
The NDC candidate devoted a significant portion of his speech to agriculture, describing food insecurity as one of the country’s most pressing challenges.
He argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient land and natural resources to become a major agricultural powerhouse and questioned why the country remains among the world’s most food-insecure nations.
Obi said transforming agriculture from subsistence to large-scale production would be central to his economic agenda.
He particularly highlighted the vast arable lands in northern Nigeria, describing them as one of the country’s most valuable assets.
Power sector overhaul
On electricity, Obi lamented Nigeria’s poor power generation capacity, noting that millions of citizens remain without access to reliable electricity.
He promised to increase electricity generation and distribution by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years, arguing that improved power supply would stimulate industrial growth and attract investment.
“Nigeria today remains the country with the highest number of citizens lacking access to electricity globally. This power deficit continues to cripple businesses and stifle economic growth,” he said.
Fight against corruption
Obi also vowed to reduce the cost of governance and strengthen transparency in public finance management.
He assured Nigerians that public resources would be managed prudently and that corruption would be tackled through accountability mechanisms.
“Nigerians will witness a tangible and verifiable reduction in corruption and the baseline costs associated with governance,” he said.
Commitment to rule of law and democracy
The former governor concluded his address by promising strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for democratic principles.
He pledged that opposition parties would enjoy freedom to operate under his administration and promised a democratic system built on fairness, transparency and accountability.
“Our democracy will exemplify true governance of the people, by the people and for the people, completely free from interference by the ruling party,” Obi stated.
The convention ended with party delegates endorsing Obi and Kwankwaso as the coalition’s standard-bearers for the 2027 presidential election, setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched political contests in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Watch the moment below:
Click HERE to watch
