Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party, Peter Obi, has officially kicked off his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election, urging fellow candidates to defend their records and demonstrate their capacity to govern.

Obi made the call on Friday at a press conference at his residence in Onitsha to mark the commencement of the 2027 presidential and National Assembly campaigns.

He said presidential candidates should not hide behind “the high walls of power” or send proxies to campaign on their behalf, insisting that Nigerians deserved to hear directly from those seeking their mandate.

Obi said candidates should answer questions, defend their records and subject their credentials, policies and visions to public scrutiny.

He said genuine leadership required presence and empathy, arguing that leaders could not effectively understand the challenges facing communities without visiting and listening to affected residents.

The former Anambra governor, who is running alongside former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, said they would personally take their campaign to Nigerians across the country.

Obi identified poverty, food insecurity, unemployment, insecurity, internal displacement, weak infrastructure, unreliable electricity and the high cost of doing business as major challenges facing the country.

He pledged that an administration under his leadership would shift Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy towards production, investment, enterprise and human-capital development.

He said the government would prioritise agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries and services while improving the environment for businesses to invest and create jobs.

On security, Obi advocated stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination among security agencies, better policing and border management, as well as greater use of technology.

He also pledged to strengthen education, expand technical and vocational training, improve healthcare services and address maternal and child health challenges.

Obi urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records and proposals of all candidates, ask difficult questions and demand evidence for campaign promises.

He called for issue-based campaigns without hatred, violence, ethnicity or religious sentiments, urging voters to reject propaganda and cronyism.

He said the election should ultimately provide an opportunity to unite Nigeria, improve security, reduce poverty and hunger and place the country on a path of inclusive economic growth.