Peter Obi & Kwankwaso in Port Harcourt: Hope for the 2027 Election and Commitment to People’s Well-Being

An official statement from Peter Obi, presidential candidate from Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), after making a political visit to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Together with his partner, Senator Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Rivers State Governor candidates, Chief Barr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs, they held an open dialogue entitled NDC Obi-Talks.

Here are the main points as well as the important analysis of the statement:

1. Focus Dialogue Audience
Meetings Town Hall became a forum for interactive discussions on solving crucial problems of Nigerian society today, such as:

Employment and economic opportunities.
Health access evenly distributed.
Improving the quality of education and security.

2. Learn from Other Countries (Including Indonesia)
Peter Obi underlined the importance of competent and people-friendly leadership by citing successful examples from developing countries:

Bangladesh: Tremendous progress in rice production.
🇮🇩 Indonesia: Success in spurring the growth of MSMEs (SMEs).
🇮🇳 India: Hard work that has succeeded in alleviating millions of citizens from poverty.

3. Target Towards the 2027 Election
This statement is loaded with political messages and appeals to the people of Rivers State ahead of the 2027
Elections:
Sovereignty of Voice: Emphasizing that people’s voting rights must be strictly guarded so that there is no fraud, and the people’s mandate must be respected.

Leadership Legitimacy: Affirming that the title of “Excellency” (Your Excellency) is only worthy of being pinned to leaders born from an honest, fair, and credible election process.
This article closes with an appreciation to the NDC working committee and local supporters who are fully committed to overseeing the agenda for change in Nigeria.

Yesterday, after attending Daily Times at 100th in Abuja, I travelled to Port Harcourt for a rousing reception from our party members, led by our Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Chief Barr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs. The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is to attend the NDC Obi-Talks, a Port Harcourt Town Hall.

The town hall provided an opportunity for an open and engaging conversation with the people. Our questions and answers centered on issues that directly affect the lives of Nigerians, including jobs, healthcare, education, security, and economic opportunity.

I reiterated my commitment to investing in the three critical areas that accelerate the development of every nation: education, healthcare, and pulling our people out of poverty.

We examined the experiences of countries that once faced challenges similar to those confronting Nigeria today, and how competent, purposeful, and compassionate leadership transformed their fortunes.

From Bangladesh and its remarkable progress in rice production, to Indonesia and the growth of its SMEs, and India’s efforts at pulling millions of its citizens out of poverty, the lesson is clear: countries succeed when leadership is competent, accountable, focused, and committed to the welfare of the people.

My greatest elation today came from the renewed commitment I saw among the good people of Rivers State to participate massively in the 2027 elections and, more importantly, to ensure that their votes are counted and the people’s mandate is respected.

Let it be recorded that this time around, the people of Rivers State will vote, and their votes MUST count.

Only leaders who emerge from a free, fair, and credible electoral process can truly be called Excellencies. Rivers State can and should set the pace for excellent, free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.

I sincerely thank our Vice Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Senator Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; our host and Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Chief Barr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs; his team; the Rivers State Working Committee of the NDC; the National Working Committee led by our National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe; and all our friends, supporters, and well-wishers who joined us for this important engagement.

Our task is to rescue Nigeria, rebuild our institutions, and restore hope to our people.

A New Nigeria is Possible, and Nigeria will be OK. -PO