Peter Obi Accepts NDC Presidential Ticket, Promises 10,000MW Power Boost, Security Reforms, Economic Revival

Abuja, Nigeria — Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Coalition (NDC), Peter Obi, on Saturday formally accepted his nomination as the party’s presidential flag bearer, unveiling an ambitious reform agenda aimed at tackling Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic stagnation, unemployment crisis, poor healthcare system and chronic electricity shortages.

Speaking during his acceptance speech in Abuja after emerging as the party’s presidential candidate, Obi expressed gratitude to party leaders, delegates and supporters for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the party into the next presidential election.

The former Anambra State governor described his emergence as a call to service at a critical moment in Nigeria’s history, insisting that the country was facing one of its most difficult periods since independence.

“It is with deep humility that I accept the role of presidential candidate for our party. I express my profound gratitude to the leaders of our party, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, the National Chairman, National Secretary and the National Working Committee members, our relentless supporters, and the Nigerian populace who have steadfastly kept the spirit of hope alive,” Obi said.

He noted that Nigeria was currently at a crossroads characterised by rising insecurity, economic hardship, widespread poverty and declining confidence in public institutions.

According to him, businesses across the country are struggling to survive while communities continue to grapple with worsening social and economic conditions.

“Businesses are struggling, communities are suffering, and an alarming number of citizens have lost faith in the very concept of governance.

“Yet, I stand before you filled with optimism and strong faith in the resilience of our people, for I firmly believe that a New Nigeria is possible,” he said.

Obi stressed that despite the country’s challenges, Nigeria possesses enormous human and natural resources capable of driving national development if properly harnessed.

He urged Nigerians to reject divisive politics and embrace unity, insisting that the country’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity should be regarded as a strength rather than a source of conflict.

According to him, national cohesion remains essential to building a prosperous and secure nation.

Turning to the issue of insecurity, Obi lamented what he described as a significant deterioration in Nigeria’s security situation over the years, citing global terrorism rankings that place the country among the nations most affected by terrorism and violent extremism.

“In terms of security, the situation in Nigeria has considerably worsened. The global terrorism impact assessments ranked Nigeria as the 8th most affected nation in 2022, 6th in 2024, and 4th in 2026,” he stated.

The NDC presidential candidate contrasted Nigeria’s current security challenges with the country’s historic reputation as a respected contributor to international peacekeeping operations.

He recalled the role played by Nigerian troops in various peacekeeping missions around the world and praised the legacy of Nigerian military leadership in international security operations.

According to him, Nigeria’s armed forces once commanded global respect and demonstrated exceptional professionalism in peace support missions across Africa and beyond.

Obi pledged that if elected president, security would be one of the foremost priorities of his administration.

“We must address insecurity with resolve and urgency, for no nation can thrive while its citizens live in trepidation. The primary responsibility of government is to ensure the safeguarding of lives and property,” he said.

He promised to implement an intelligence-driven and technology-supported security architecture capable of confronting emerging threats while also addressing the root causes of insecurity.

According to him, poverty, unemployment and social exclusion remain major drivers of criminality and violent extremism, adding that his administration would pursue policies aimed at reducing economic hardship alongside strengthening security institutions.

Speaking on healthcare, Obi decried Nigeria’s poor health indicators, describing them as unacceptable for a country of its size and potential.

He particularly highlighted the country’s high infant mortality rate and low health insurance coverage, promising reforms aimed at expanding access to healthcare services.

“Nigeria suffers from one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Furthermore, health insurance coverage in Nigeria hovers around a mere 10 per cent, in stark contrast to countries like Indonesia, which boast over 90 per cent coverage.

“This situation is regrettable. I pledge that within four years, our health insurance coverage will more than double to over 20 per cent,” he said.

Obi argued that improving healthcare access would not only save lives but also boost productivity and economic growth.

On the energy sector, Obi described Nigeria’s electricity crisis as one of the greatest obstacles to industrialisation, job creation and economic development.

He noted that despite having a population exceeding 200 million people, Nigeria continues to generate and distribute electricity far below the levels required to support economic growth.

“Nigeria today is the nation with the highest number of citizens lacking access to electricity globally. We currently generate and distribute a mere 4,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity for a population exceeding 200 million,” he said.

The former governor compared Nigeria’s electricity generation levels with those of other comparable economies, arguing that the disparity highlighted the urgent need for reforms and investment in the power sector.

He subsequently unveiled one of the key pledges of his campaign.

“Over the next four years, I commit to ensuring a minimum of 10,000 MW power increase generation and distribution,” Obi declared.

The promise represents one of the most ambitious energy commitments announced by a presidential contender, with Obi insisting that increased electricity supply would stimulate industrial growth, attract investment and create jobs for millions of Nigerians.

Addressing the unemployment situation, Obi argued that official labour statistics do not fully capture the scale of the crisis confronting the country.

He maintained that many Nigerians classified as employed remain underemployed or trapped in low-income economic activities that do not provide sustainable livelihoods.

The NDC candidate pledged targeted interventions to support small and medium-sized enterprises, youth-led businesses and entrepreneurs, saying economic growth must be driven by productivity rather than dependence on government patronage.

He also promised governance reforms aimed at reducing corruption, improving transparency and cutting the cost of governance.

According to him, public resources must be redirected towards productive sectors capable of generating employment and improving living standards.

Obi concluded his speech by expressing confidence that Nigeria could overcome its current challenges through responsible leadership, institutional reforms and citizen participation.

He urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country’s future, insisting that the nation possesses the capacity to achieve security, prosperity and sustainable development under visionary leadership.

The NDC presidential candidate’s acceptance speech comes amid growing concerns over rising insecurity, inflation, unemployment, inadequate power supply and declining living conditions across Nigeria, issues expected to dominate political debates ahead of the next general election.