MY ADDRESS TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE 2027 PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGNS
21 August 2026
Dear Compatriots,
Members of the Press,
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, marked the official start of the campaign period for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
There is no doubt that this is a defining moment for our democracy. This moment gives Nigerians the opportunity to assess the records, ideas, and plans of those seeking their mandate to lead their country at a time of grave uncertainty in our rapidly changing world.
I consider myself quite privileged to be one of those seeking your mandate to deal with these challenges facing our country.
I enter this contest with one firm conviction: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work.
Nigeria faces several serious challenges. Some of them are indeed of existential proportions.
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 need food assistance during the 2026 lean season. About 3.6 million Nigerians remain internally displaced, largely because of conflict and insecurity. Each year, millions of young people enter the labour market, yet too many struggle to find productive opportunities. Weak infrastructure, unreliable power, insecurity, and the excessive cost of doing business continue to burden households and constrain enterprise.
These are more than statistics. They reflect the daily realities of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students, and businesses.
Yet I do not believe Nigeria lacks the ability to overcome these challenges. We have the people, resources, market, talent, and enterprise. What we must do now is turn these strengths into security, productivity, and shared prosperity.
LEADERSHIP MUST DELIVER RESULTS
My successful private-sector experience, studies in institutions of repute on policy and business matters, and my service as Governor of Anambra State have shaped my understanding of public leadership. Government must manage resources responsibly, set clear priorities, and measure the outcomes of its decisions. Public office is not a reward; it is a responsibility to the people.
In Anambra, I prioritised the foundations of long-term development: education, healthcare, infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and institutional capacity. I do not present that record as perfect, but as an experience from which Nigerians can draw their own conclusions.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso brings a different but complementary governing experience.
As Governor of Kano State, he focused strongly on education, technical training, scholarships, infrastructure, and human-capital development. His administration’s investments in education and skills showed an understanding that the people are a state’s most important long-term resource.
Our experiences are different, but our conclusion is the same: Nigeria must invest in its people and manage public resources with discipline.
BUILDING AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS
Nigeria needs more than reactive reforms. We must focus on the questions that matter:
Are Nigerians better off than they were four years ago? Can they afford food, education, and healthcare? Can businesses produce, expand, and create jobs? Can young people find productive work? Can farmers work safely and get their produce to market?
The journey to building a New Nigeria is on! 🇳🇬
Build your campaign team at your polling unit and get ready to make your voice count.
VOTE H.E. PETER OBI FOR PRESIDENT — 2027.
As the presidential campaign kicks off today in Nigeria, it is with great pleasure—and no pressure whatsoever—that I introduce to you the candidate I’ll be campaigning for in the 2027 general election: Mr. Gregory @PeterObi ! 🇳🇬
Peter Obi for President, 2027. Let the campaign begin! 🔥
ANNOUNCEMENT
The OK Movement is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Smart Ballot @SmartBallotApp, a collaboration built around one clear mission: to protect the power of every Nigerian vote.
Smart Ballot represents the growing use of technology, data and grassroots coordination to strengthen electoral participation, transparency and accountability. This partnership comes at a critical moment as Nigeria prepares for 2027.
INEC itself has highlighted declining voter turnout as a major challenge to our democracy, while technology continues to play an increasingly important role in the electoral process.
Together, OK Movement with Smart Ballot will take the fight for credible elections to the grassroots polling unit by polling unit.
We are building a movement where citizens are informed, organized, mobilized and ready to defend their votes.
No voter left behind. No polling unit abandoned. No vote taken for granted.
Look out for more information to come.
Nigeria will be OK.
Campaign starts today and this is why I’m supporting Peter Obi.
I will also be supporting and posting various candidates too in the NDC. It will be a marathon race.
Let us all support them.
Peace Accord wey Peter Obi go sign na for him and him family o
The rest of us will stick to plan
No acceptance of peace with APC
APC and the members don’t deserve peace!
A New Nigeria is About Investment in People
Today, I visited the College of Nursing Sciences and College of Medical Sciences at Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, an institution I remain committed to supporting.
I made an additional donation of ₦10 million to strengthen its growth, development, and capacity to provide quality medical education and training.
I reminded the students that education goes beyond certificates; it is about gaining the knowledge, skills, discipline and character to make a meaningful difference. Their training also prepares them to become competent, compassionate healthcare professionals who can serve humanity anywhere in the world.
My belief remains that sustained investment in education and healthcare, alongside deliberate efforts to lift people out of poverty, is one of the most effective and responsible ways to build a better, more productive and prosperous society.
When we invest in people, we invest in the future of our nation.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Standing with the Victims of Insecurity in Benue
Yesterday, I travelled to Otukpo-Nobi in Benue State, one of the communities recently attacked by non-state actors, where over 10 persons were either killed or went missing. In contrast, several others were injured and are currently hospitalised.
Alongside Otukpo-Nobi was another community, Efeyi-Ugboju, where over 13 persons were reportedly killed and several others injured. While we were there, we were also informed that earlier in the morning, 14 persons had been kidnapped along Ankpechi Road.
I joined the community in praying for the repose of the souls of the departed at the site of the mass burial of the victims. We also visited the hospital to empathise with the injured, show our support, and pray for their quick recovery.
Having visited, seen, and spoken with those affected, I urge the Federal Government to demonstrate a greater commitment to securing the lives and property of citizens and to closing the ungoverned spaces that have become breeding grounds for insecurity.
The primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of its citizens. When government fails in this responsibility, as it has with the people of Otukpo-Nobi, Efeyi-Ugboju, and other troubled communities, it must be reminded of that sacred obligation.
May the souls of the departed continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen. -PO