‘Nigeria Needs Unifying Leader’ — Peter Obi Speaks Ahead of 2027

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to prioritise national unity and elect a leader capable of bringing the country together.

Obi said a divided nation could not achieve meaningful development, stressing the need for Nigerians to elect a president who would unite citizens across ethnic, religious and regional lines.

The former Anambra State governor made the call during a global digital town hall meeting held virtually on Sunday evening, where he addressed Nigerians at home and abroad on voter mobilisation, election security and ways to safeguard the electoral process ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Obi also urged his supporters to mobilise voters and ensure adequate deployment of polling agents across the country, stressing the need for Nigerians to remain actively involved in the electoral process.

“Our country needs unity,” he said.

In a statement issued on Monday by the spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Office, POMR, Idris Zekeri, the NDC presidential candidate said Nigerians were divided along ethnic and religious lines despite facing similar economic and security challenges.

“At present, we are not united. We are divided along ethnic and religious lines, yet, to the best of my knowledge, no tribe buys bread at a lower price, and no tribe buys fuel at a lower price. Similarly, no religion buys bread or fuel at a lower price. The poverty affecting our country today is widespread across the entire nation.

“No tribe enjoys greater security than another. Insecurity affects every part of the country. This is the same point I have consistently made.”

Obi said Nigeria needed a president capable of uniting the people and working relentlessly to address insecurity.

He maintained that Nigerians must remain engaged throughout the electoral process and ensure that every vote cast is counted.

According to him, his campaign is focused on expanding its network of polling agents across the country while working with other political parties to promote free, fair and credible elections.

The former governor also cautioned Nigerians against allowing money or intimidation to influence their choices during the 2027 elections, warning that such actions could have long-term consequences for the country.

“If you accept money from them, that is money they would otherwise have spent on security, hospitals and education,” he said.

On insecurity, Obi called for stronger support for security agencies, including adequate logistics and equipment to enable them to effectively protect Nigerians.

“We have security agencies, and they must function effectively. We must provide them with the logistics they need to perform their duties and ensure that we stand by them. We must make certain that they are properly equipped and that their families are cared for if anything happens to them or they become unavailable. We need a president who will lead from the front,” he said.

Obi also urged voters to remain at their polling units after casting their ballots on election day until the votes are counted.

He said active citizen participation would be critical to protecting the integrity of the 2027 elections, urging Nigerians to take responsibility for safeguarding their votes from the polling unit to the final declaration of results.