BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that his party will take responsibility for addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than blaming the opposition if elected in the 2027 general elections.
Obi made the declaration on Monday in Abuja during activities marking the commissioning of the party’s newly acquired national secretariat in Jabi, the inauguration of its National Campaign Council and the presentation of Certificates of Return to its candidates.
The activities, held on October 26, also featured the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as the NDC intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the event, Obi said the party would focus on providing practical solutions to the country’s economic, security and developmental challenges, promising to pursue policies aimed at improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
He maintained that leadership should be measured by its ability to solve problems and deliver results rather than shift responsibility to political opponents.
“We are not going to blame anybody. We are not being hired to blame anyone. We are being hired to solve problems,” Obi said, stressing that the NDC would prioritise solutions to the difficulties confronting Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor also pledged to campaign across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to explain their record in office to Nigerians.
He questioned the ruling party’s readiness to defend its performance before voters, arguing that parties seeking electoral mandates should be prepared to explain their achievements and the impact of their policies on citizens.
Obi alleged that the APC had focused more on blaming the opposition than explaining what it had accomplished since assuming office in May 2023.
He said his nationwide campaign would provide an opportunity to engage directly with Nigerians, explain the NDC’s proposals and listen to the concerns of communities across the country.
On security, the NDC presidential candidate pledged that, if elected, he would spend his holidays within Nigeria rather than travel abroad, using such periods to visit communities affected by insecurity and other developmental challenges.
He specifically mentioned Plateau, Benue and Sokoto states as places he could visit during his holidays to experience the difficulties confronting residents, particularly those living in areas affected by terrorist attacks.
“Choose Plateau for my holidays, I can choose Benue, and I can also choose Sokoto. I will go on holidays to states where terrorists are killing innocent Nigerians to feel their pains and also chase the terrorists out of their hideouts,” he said.
Obi argued that a president should remain connected to the realities of ordinary citizens, especially people living in communities affected by violence, displacement and economic hardship.
He also challenged Nigerians to demand accountability from the Tinubu administration over the savings generated by the removal of the petrol subsidy.
“Nigerians should ask Tinubu: Where is the subsidy money?” he said.
The former governor questioned the extent to which the resources generated from the subsidy removal had translated into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians, particularly in healthcare, education, infrastructure, security and employment.
He has repeatedly called for transparency in the management of public resources, arguing that the benefits of government policies should be reflected in improved living conditions, expanded economic opportunities and better access to essential services.
Earlier in the day, the NDC commissioned its newly acquired national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, as part of efforts to strengthen its administrative structure and coordinate its activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commissioning followed the party’s NEC meeting in Maitama and preceded the inauguration of its National Campaign Council, which is expected to coordinate the party’s nationwide electioneering activities.
The party also presented Certificates of Return to its candidates for the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly elections.
The presentation formally recognised the candidates selected to represent the party in the forthcoming electoral contests and formed part of the NDC’s preparations for the elections.
At the campaign council inauguration, the NDC named its National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, as chairman of the council, while Obi was appointed co-chairman.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, was named vice-chairman, while its vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was appointed co-vice-chairman.
The National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, was named secretary of the council, while Ibrahim Abdulkarim was appointed Director-General. Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, was named chairman of the National Advisory Council.
The party’s activities also included the presentation of its financial statement at the NEC meeting, where the leadership disclosed that the NDC generated ₦8.529 billion within its first seven months of operation and spent ₦2.402 billion on party activities, including primaries, publicity and staff salaries.
National Chairman Cleopas said the disclosure was intended to promote transparency and accountability in the management of the party’s finances ahead of its first anniversary.
The commissioning of the secretariat, presentation of certificates and inauguration of the campaign council mark key organisational steps for the NDC as it prepares to present its candidates and policy proposals to voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With its campaign leadership now constituted, the party is expected to intensify mobilisation and communicate its positions on the economy, security, public accountability and governance to Nigerians across the country.
