The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has unveiled an economic and security agenda he said would reset Nigeria, while taking a veiled swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over political leaders’ willingness to directly engage with Nigerians.

Obi, who spoke at a press conference in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday, promised to build a production-driven economy, create productive jobs, strengthen food security and overhaul the country’s security architecture if elected president.

The former Anambra State governor said his campaign would prioritise national dialogue, investment in human capital and responsible management of public resources, with a focus on improving living standards for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

He challenged voters to assess political leaders based on measurable outcomes rather than promises, asking whether Nigerians had experienced meaningful improvements in food affordability, education, healthcare and employment in recent years.

“Can businesses grow, produce, and generate jobs? Can young people secure productive employment? Can farmers work safely and get their produce to market?” Obi asked.

He said Nigeria could not import its way to prosperity, arguing that the country’s large population should be transformed into productive human capital and a strong domestic market.

“We will produce more of what we consume, process more of what we produce, and compete more effectively in global markets,” he said.

Obi identified agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, the creative industry and services as key sectors capable of driving production, investment and employment.

Citing poverty and humanitarian figures, he said millions of Nigerians remain trapped in poverty, while millions more face food insecurity and displacement as a result of insecurity.

He also raised concerns over the growing number of young Nigerians entering the labour market without access to productive employment.

On security, the NDC candidate pledged to strengthen intelligence coordination, improve border management and deploy technology more extensively in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

Obi also made democratic accountability a major theme of his address, insisting that presidential candidates must be willing to face voters directly and defend their records, policies and plans.

“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. Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work,” he said.

The former governor said true leadership required physical presence and empathy, arguing that leaders must visit communities affected by banditry, terrorism, criminality and flooding to understand the challenges confronting citizens.

He pledged that he and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would take their campaign directly to Nigerians rather than rely on proxies or surrogates.

“No one can lead from the front without standing with communities devastated by banditry, criminality, terrorism and flooding,” Obi said.

Although he did not mention Tinubu by name, his comments appeared to target the incumbent president and other political rivals who, he suggested, avoid direct engagement with voters.

The remarks came days after Tinubu was absent from the National Peace Accord signing ceremony in Abuja and was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Obi said no presidential candidate should “hide behind the high walls of power” or send representatives to face the electorate while seeking their mandate.

He argued that Nigerians deserved leaders who would personally answer their questions and submit themselves and their records to public scrutiny.

With the 2027 presidential race gathering momentum, Obi said his campaign would focus on presenting Nigerians with a practical alternative centred on production, security, food security, job creation and accountable leadership.

He maintained that Nigeria possesses the human and economic resources required to succeed, but stressed that effective leadership and disciplined management of public resources would be critical to unlocking the country’s potential.