By Chimezie Godfrey
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity, insisting that the country must urgently shift from a consumption-driven economy to one anchored on production, value addition and job creation.
Obi stated this on Friday in Onitsha, Anambra State, while outlining the key messages he intends to take to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential campaign.
The former Anambra State governor said his campaign would be built around a national conversation on how to rebuild the country, stressing that the central question should be whether Nigerians are actually better off under the current leadership.
According to him, although he and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, come from different backgrounds and have different experiences, they share a common objective of improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly the poor.
“Our experiences differ, but our conclusion is clear: Nigeria must invest in its people and manage its public resources responsibly,” Obi said.
He argued that Nigeria requires more than reactive economic reforms, urging citizens to demand measurable answers from political leaders on the state of the economy and their living conditions.
“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 asked.
Obi urged Nigerians to demand answers directly from candidates rather than relying on their proxies or surrogates.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The NDC presidential candidate expressed concern over the scale of poverty, humanitarian challenges, displacement and unemployment confronting the country.
He cited an IMF figure which, according to him, indicates that 63 per cent, representing more than 140 million Nigerians, live at or below the national poverty line.
He added that humanitarian agencies estimate that 35 million Nigerians would require food assistance during the 2026 lean season, while about 3.6 million people remain internally displaced, largely as a result of conflict and insecurity.
“Each year, millions of young people join the labour market, yet many struggle to find meaningful opportunities,” Obi said.
On his proposed shift from consumption to production, Obi said Nigeria’s large population should be treated as an economic opportunity rather than a burden.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
He said an NDC administration would seek to combine experience in public funds management, the private sector and the civil service to convert Nigeria’s population into productive human capital and its natural resources into value-added industries.
“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,” he said.
Obi identified agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries and services as critical sectors capable of driving economic transformation.
On insecurity, he said the crisis had gone beyond threats to lives and property, warning that it was also undermining agriculture, education, trade and investment.
“Insecurity has displaced millions of Nigerians and continues to disrupt agriculture, education, trade, and investment. Our response must therefore be comprehensive,” he said.
He advocated improved intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, stronger policing and border management, as well as greater deployment of technology in combating insecurity.
The NDC candidate also addressed healthcare, unemployment and the state of Nigeria’s democracy, urging voters to critically examine the records and plans of those seeking their votes in 2027.
He warned that presidential candidates must be prepared to engage directly with Nigerians across the country and respond to their concerns.
“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,” Obi said.
He urged Nigerians to use the 2027 election to scrutinise candidates, their records and their proposed solutions to the country’s mounting challenges rather than merely relying on campaign rhetoric.
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