The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for national unity, improved security and a shift from consumption to production as part of his proposed approach to tackling unemployment and poverty ahead of the 2027 election.
Obi made the remarks while recounting his visit to Delta State on Thursday, September 24, where he joined the NDC governorship candidate in the state, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, party leaders, candidates and supporters at the inauguration of the party’s campaign office in Asaba.
The former Anambra State governor said the event provided an opportunity to further communicate the party’s message and its commitment to what he described as building a better Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria must strengthen its security architecture while moving away from a consumption-driven economy towards increased production and job creation.
“We must unite, secure our dear nation, and move it from consumption to production, create jobs, and pull our people out of poverty,” Obi said.
He thanked Iyovwaye, other party leaders and members in Delta for their commitment to the party and the development of the state and the country.
Obi also expressed appreciation to residents of the state for the reception accorded him and his delegation.
The NDC presidential candidate’s Delta visit came against the backdrop of his wider campaign activities and his renewed emphasis on electoral reform, democratic inclusion and governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a separate interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Obi vowed that anyone found guilty of rigging an election under his administration would face imprisonment, saying the punishment would apply regardless of the number of votes involved.
“I’ve said it, and I’ll say it again: if I am the serving president of this country, whoever rig elections will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” he said.
Obi also promised that opposition parties would not be harassed under his administration, saying they would be involved in major decisions affecting the country.
“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he said.
He said opposition parties would also be consulted on matters of national importance, including when the president travels outside the country.
“It’s a country, everyone is involved, and I want to involve everybody,” he added.
Obi further pledged to remain accessible and physically present in Nigeria if elected president, saying Nigerians would not have to search for him while he was in office.
“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria,” he said.
On campaign activities, Obi criticised restrictions allegedly placed on political candidates in some states, arguing that all contestants should be allowed to campaign regardless of their opponents’ political affiliations.
He cited his tenure as Anambra governor, recalling instances when political opponents were allowed to campaign in the state.
Obi said he provided his official vehicle for then-Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola when Fashola visited Anambra to campaign.
He also recalled accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a campaign for Andy Uba, despite the fact that Uba was not Obi’s preferred candidate.
“That’s democracy, because I wanted the people to vote. There was no issue,” he said.
Obi also addressed renewed claims concerning Anambra State’s debt profile at the end of his tenure as governor.
He rejected claims that he left the state with $123 million in debt, insisting that he did not obtain loans or issue bonds through financial institutions during his eight years in office.
“I, Mr. Peter Obi, did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State in the eight years that I was in government,” he said.
Obi further claimed that Anambra had no outstanding obligations to workers, pensioners, contractors or suppliers whose completed projects had been certified and verified when he left office in March 2014.
He explained that the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development facilities cited in discussions about the state’s debt were concessionary development funds obtained by the Federal Government and subsequently on-lent to qualifying states.
According to Obi, Anambra’s foreign debt stood at about $18 million when he assumed office and rose to about $30 million by the time he left office.
He also said the state had more than $150 million in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds, which he claimed generated about $10 million annually.
Obi challenged those questioning his financial record to verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian banks, saying he had made available documents relating to the state’s finances.
“The World Bank is in Abuja; they can give you the history of the drawdowns. The banks mentioned here are Nigerian banks; you have access to their headquarters. Ask them whether this money was there,” he said.
