By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections with the unveiling of its new national secretariat in Abuja, inauguration of its National Presidential Campaign Council and presentation of certificates of return to candidates contesting on its platform.
At a dinner held in the Federal Capital Territory on Monday, October 26, 2026, the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, pledged to tackle corruption, insecurity, poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living, promising measurable improvements in governance from the first day of an NDC-led administration.
Obi, who is running alongside his vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said Nigeria needed a fundamental change in leadership, resource management and public service delivery.
He maintained that government should focus on solving national problems rather than blaming political opponents or previous administrations for the country’s challenges.
The events followed the party’s Third National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the unveiling of its newly acquired national secretariat at 393 Etang Obuli Crescent, Jabi, Abuja.
The facility is expected to serve as the party’s administrative headquarters and a coordination centre for its presidential campaign.
The unveiling of the secretariat, inauguration of the campaign council and presentation of certificates marked another phase in the party’s organisational and electoral preparations ahead of the 2027 polls.
I’m his speech, the party’s National leader, the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, described the newly unveiled secretariat as the NDC’s “Noah’s Ark”, presenting it as a unifying centre for party members as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The facility is expected to support the party’s administrative operations, strategic planning and nationwide campaign coordination.
With the inauguration of its presidential campaign council and establishment of a central headquarters, the NDC is positioning itself for a campaign focused on accountability, economic recovery, improved public services and changes in governance.
Addressing party leaders and supporters, Obi described Nigeria’s economic and security challenges as evidence of the need for a new direction, arguing that the country’s vast resources had not translated into improved living conditions for millions of citizens.
“The purpose of governance is to solve problems, not to blame people. Kwankwaso and I will not blame anybody. We will create that new Nigeria that is possible,” he declared.
The former Anambra State governor criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, arguing that increased government revenues and borrowing should produce corresponding improvements in development outcomes.
He said his engagements across the country had convinced him that Nigerians wanted leadership that demonstrated competence, compassion and a commitment to addressing their needs.
“From my engagements all over Nigeria, Nigerians are looking for new leadership. And we assure you that we will create that new leadership,” Obi said.
Making the fight against corruption a central plank of his campaign, Obi promised that an NDC-led government would take decisive action against the diversion of public funds and ensure that public resources were used for the benefit of citizens.
He argued that corruption had weakened public institutions, undermined government expenditure, discouraged productive investment and contributed to Nigeria’s economic difficulties.
Questioning the outcomes of revenue generation and borrowing under the Tinubu administration, Obi challenged the Federal Government to account for how public funds had been spent.
“We must stop people from stealing public money. We must use public money for the public good. And that will be seen, it will be shown,” he said.
He maintained that public officeholders must be held accountable and that anyone found culpable of corruption should answer in accordance with the law.
Obi also questioned the implementation of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 budgets, alleging that capital expenditure remained below 20 per cent and that contractors handling government projects were experiencing payment difficulties.
He challenged the administration to provide a detailed account of its spending, projects and achievements.
“We don’t want you to hire us to tell you about our problem. It’s only in Nigeria that you hire people, and they start reminding you of what happened in the past. No, we don’t want you to hire us to tell you about our problem. We want you to hire us to improve from today,” he said.
On national security, Obi pledged a more direct and responsive approach to tackling kidnapping, violent attacks and other threats, saying the president must demonstrate leadership by visiting communities affected by emergencies.
“If they say there is a problem in Jos, he will go to Jos,” he said.
He also promised to declare an emergency in agriculture, particularly in northern Nigeria, where insecurity has disrupted farming activities and restricted the productive use of land.
“We have vast land in the north. When we secure the north, our farmers must go back and produce what we eat and what we use for our industries,” Obi said.
He pledged to visit states and communities affected by insecurity, including Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, Sokoto and Borno, and to spend holidays within Nigeria, including in communities experiencing violence.
He also challenged Tinubu’s administration to explain its achievements and account for the public resources generated and borrowed during its time in office.
Obi urged political actors to refrain from harassing NDC supporters and others participating in lawful political activities.
“Humility and civility are not weaknesses. It is a virtue. Good behaviour is not a weakness. It is a virtue,” he said.
He insisted that the 2027 elections should be contested on the basis of ideas, policies and credibility rather than intimidation.
“The revolution that is coming is a revolution of the ballot,” Obi declared, urging Nigerians to defend electoral integrity and demand free, fair and credible elections.
Earlier, the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, described the gathering as an important milestone in the party’s preparations, saying it was determined to distinguish itself through innovation, unity and accountability.
Cleopas said the party had conducted its primaries within a short period and that the dinner provided an opportunity for candidates and stakeholders to interact and strengthen their collective commitment.
He identified the inauguration of the presidential campaign council and presentation of certificates of return as major assignments, adding that the certificates contained security codes to guard against unauthorised claims to candidacy.
The chairman urged candidates to regard their nominations as a responsibility to the electorate and warned that the party would not tolerate unfulfilled campaign promises.
“If we fail to bring water for you in two years, if we open our mouths to say, vote for us again, please don’t vote for us,” he said.
“We are going for a rescue mission; the hope of this country is in NDC,” Cleopas declared.
Among those present were Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central; Rivers State governorship candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs; and Adamawa State governorship candidate, Senator Aisha Binani, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omor-Agege, former Governor of Abia State Sam Egwu alongside other party leaders and members.
