THE Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, says Nigerians must produce more of what they consume, as well as process more of what they produce, so as to compete more effectively in the global markets
Obi made this declaration today in Onitsha, Anambra state, the commercial hub of the South-East, during a press conference to kickstart his 2027 electioneering campaign.
The NDC presidential flagbearer disclosed  that his campaign will serve as a national dialogue focused on rebuilding Nigeria.
Speaking on each sector of the economy, the former Anambra state governor, stated that thiugh he and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, both share a common goal – “to improve the living standards of the impoverished among us.”
He said: “Our experiences differ, but our conclusion is clear: Nigeria must invest in its people and manage its public resources responsibly.”
On building an economy that works, Obi asserted that “Nigeria needs more than mere reactive reforms. The real questions are: Are Nigerians better off than they were four years ago? Can they afford food, education, and healthcare? Can businesses grow, produce, and generate jobs? Can young people secure productive employment? Can farmers work safely and get their produce to market?”
He urged citizens to seek direct answers from leaders, not through proxies or surrogate.
According to him, “this moment gives Nigerians the opportunity to evaluate the records, ideas, and plans of those seeking their mandate to lead their country at a time of significant uncertainty in our rapidly changing world.
“I consider myself quite privileged to be among those asking for your mandate to address these national challenges. I enter this contest with one firm belief: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work. Nigeria faces numerous serious challenges; some are indeed of existential importance.
“According to the IMF, 63%, or over 140 million Nigerians, live at or below the national poverty line, while humanitarian agencies estimate that 35 million people will require food aid during the 2026 lean season. About 3.6 million Nigerians remain internally displaced, largely due to conflict and insecurity. Each year, millions of young people join the labour market, yet many struggle to find meaningful opportunities.”
On the theme of consumption to production, the NDC flagbearer said: “Nigeria, with a population now exceeding two hundred million and continuing to grow rapidly, has one of Africa’s largest domestic markets and labour forces.
“This is an opportunity we must capitalise on to transform our nation’s future. Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity. We will produce more of what we consume, process more of what we produce, and compete more effectively in global markets.
“We will harness our collective experience in public funds management, the private sector, and the civil service to turn our population into productive human capital, our natural resources into value-added industries, and our domestic market into an engine for investment and enterprise. Agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries, and services all have vital roles to play “.
On insecurity, Obi stared that “insecurity has displaced millions of Nigerians and continues to disrupt agriculture, education, trade, and investment. Our response must therefore be comprehensive. We need to improve intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, strengthen policing and border management, and make better use of technology. He also addressed several issues including healthcare, unemployment, and democracy, urging citizens to scrutinise their leaders, saying,
“Any presidential candidate who lacks the resolve to travel across the country, meet the people, and respond to their questions lacks the capacity to govern it.”
According to the time table released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), campaigns for both the presidential and national assembly elections scheduled to hold on January 16, 2027, kicked of on August 19, 2026.
