Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged political leaders and Nigerians to close ranks and work together to tackle poverty, hunger and insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi made the call on Monday in Abuja during the commissioning of the 2027 presidential campaign office of the Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde.
The former Anambra State governor described Makinde as qualified to seek the presidency, while stressing that Nigerians should support whoever emerges victorious through a credible electoral process.
Obi said the 2027 contest should not be driven by desperation or political hostility, but by a shared commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
He said, “What we are doing today is to show you that, for us, we don’t have desperation. We want the people of Nigeria to make their choice. Whoever they choose, all of us will come together to build a new Nigeria.”
He lamented the hardship confronting Nigerians, saying, “Our people are hungry. Our people are poor. Our people are insecure.”
According to him, the priority after the election should be to unite the country and prevent further deterioration.
“Whoever wins, genuinely, from a free, fair and credible election, we all want to work together to save this country from collapse,” Obi added.
He also advocated a change in the nature of political competition in Nigeria, saying disagreements among politicians should focus on finding solutions to the country’s social and economic challenges.
“We don’t want politics of quarrel, politics of disagreement. Let our quarrel be to feed our people. Let our quarrel be to pull our people out of poverty,” he said.
Obi further expressed support for a Nigeria where citizens can attain success regardless of their background or connections.
“We want a Nigeria where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody,” he stated.
He assured supporters that political differences should not prevent leaders from working together in the national interest.
“All of us will work as a family. And I assure you that we remain united in our rescue for our dear country, Nigeria,” Obi said.
Makinde is among the politicians preparing to contest the 2027 presidential election, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is seeking the presidency on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.
