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Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi formally accepted the presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress on Saturday.
Obi outlined his vision for a “New Nigeria” across security, healthcare, education, agriculture, power, unemployment, corruption and democratic governance.
Here are key quotes from his acceptance speech.
On a New Nigeria
“A New Nigeria is Possible. This conviction has united us; it must serve as our compass on the challenging road ahead and sustain us through all trials we may face.
“This pivotal moment transcends the individual ambitions of Peter Obi; it concerns the essence of our nation and the future of our children.
“It is about rekindling hope for millions who have faced adversity yet remain committed to Nigeria.
“Today, our nation finds itself at a crucial juncture, enveloped in uncertainty. Families are anxious about their safety; parents are concerned for their children’s futures; and talented youth increasingly question their prospects in their homeland.
“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.”
On national unity
“Nigeria cannot advance while fragmented by ethnic, religious, regional, or narrow political divides. We may communicate in different languages and practise diverse faiths, but we share a singular destiny under one flag.
“Our diversity should not be a source of division; rather, it is among our greatest strengths.
“We should build bridges where others erect barriers, replace mistrust with confidence, division with understanding, and resentment with a collective purpose. A united Nigeria is indispensable.
“As Will Durant wisely pointed out, ‘A great civilisation is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.’ We must never self-destruct. We must heal, unify, and progress together.”
On insecurity
“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.
“The primary responsibility of the government is to ensure the safeguarding of lives and property.
“Farmers must be able to return to their fields securely; students must be able to learn without fear; communities must be able to rest peacefully; and investors must regain their confidence in Nigeria.
“Our strategy will be intelligence-driven, technology-enhanced, proactive, and community-focused. We will fortify our security institutions, enhance operational coordination, support our courageous personnel, and tackle the underlying causes of insecurity—namely, poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation.”
On healthcare
“Regarding health, Nigeria is currently ranked 157th globally, placing it in the lower echelon of healthcare worldwide. Primary healthcare, the cornerstone of our medical system, remains severely underfunctioning, with only 10% to 20% of approximately 30,000 primary healthcare centres operational.
“As a result, Nigeria suffers from one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Furthermore, health insurance coverage in Nigeria hovers around a mere 10%, in stark contrast to countries like Indonesia, which boast over 90% coverage. This situation is regrettable.
“I pledge that within four years, our health insurance coverage will more than double to over 20%.
“Within these four years, we will increase our healthcare budget to a minimum of 10% of our GDP, up from the current level of below 5%.
“In four years, there will be a fully functional and properly managed primary healthcare centre in all 8,809 wards across the nation. By the conclusion of our term, Nigeria will ensure that at least 50% of its 30,000 primary healthcare centres are fully functional, properly manned, and dedicated to serving the populace.”
On education
“Education will remain at the forefront of our national revival, as no country can grow beyond its educational system. Nations that have transformed successfully have done so through sustained investment in human capital.
“Our children are not burdens; they represent our most valuable assets. We will invest heavily in schools, teachers, technology, and vocational training, ensuring that education equips our youth not only to seek employment but also to generate it.
“We must pivot Nigeria from a cycle of shared poverty to one of collective prosperity through knowledge, innovation, and productivity.”
On hunger and agriculture
“In 2023, when the present government took office, Nigeria ranked 109 out of 150 nations on the Global Hunger Index. And by 2025, our ranking further plunged to 115th, placing us among the hungriest nations globally.
“Currently, the World Food Programme estimates that over 35 million Nigerians will face acute hunger and food insecurity this year. This is unconscionable, given our vast expanses of uncultivated land.
“We have absolutely no justification for being among the world’s hungriest nations.
“Transitioning our nation from a state of consumption to one of production, through significant investments in agriculture, is the sole dependable strategy to escape the current depths of hunger and poverty.
“As I often emphasise, the uncultivated lands in our northern region represent our most substantial tangible assets. Transforming this sector is our direct pathway to prosperity.”
On the power sector
“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 of electricity for a population exceeding 200 million.
*”In contrast, comparable nations worldwide – including several African peers such as South Africa and Egypt – each generate and distribute over 40,000 MW, despite both countries having less than half of our population.
“This considerable power shortfall continues to cripple businesses, choke industries, and stall overall economic growth.
“Over the next four years, I commit to ensuring a minimum of 10,000 MW of power generation and distribution.”
On unemployment
*”Our large pool of talented youth remains largely unemployed. The current official unemployment rate of 4% grossly misrepresents the true situation; actual underemployment and unemployment in Nigeria exceeds 30%, with youth unemployment sitting at over 40% – among the highest globally, necessitating urgent intervention.
“We will address this by aggressively supporting the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises through targeted tax incentives, special interest rates, and accessible funding in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment, sports, and distribution. These improvements will be both measurable and verifiable.”
On corruption and governance costs
“Nigerians will witness a tangible and verifiable reduction in corruption and the baseline costs associated with governance. Public resources will be managed with absolute transparency, prudence, and accountability to ensure that every naira spent yields demonstrable value for citizens.”
On the rule of law
“The rule of law will be fiercely upheld, and adherence to it will be sacrosanct for both government officials and citizens alike, strictly in accordance with our constitutional frameworks.”
On democracy
“Our democracy will exemplify true governance of the people, by the people, and for the people, completely free from interference by the ruling party. Instead, we will institutionalise deep respect for opposition parties and foster constructive engagement in governance.
“Under my leadership, democracy will be pursued with integrity, fairness, and transparency.”
On his running mate
“I will make democracy work, and the Vice President will be a partner, not a spare tyre. I hereby accept my affirmation and nominate Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso as my Vice President.
“May God bless you all, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY MR. PETER OBI FOLLOWING HIS NOMINATION AS THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE NIGERIAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS(NDC) – MAY 30, 2026
Protocols,
Esteemed citizens of Nigeria,
It is with deep humility that I accept the role of presidential candidate for our… pic.twitter.com/JoR6WKZnSS
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) May 31, 2026
