The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to put national unity ahead of ethnic, religious and other divisions as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Obi said Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development while the country remains divided, stressing the need for citizens to elect a leader capable of bringing Nigerians together and addressing the challenges confronting the nation.
The former Anambra State governor made the remarks during a global digital town hall held virtually on Sunday evening, where he addressed Nigerians at home and abroad on voter mobilisation, election security and ways to safeguard the electoral process.
According to Obi, the challenges facing Nigerians cut across ethnic and religious boundaries, with insecurity, poverty and the rising cost of living affecting citizens across the country.
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“At present, we are not united. We are divided along ethnic and religious lines, yet, to the best of my knowledge, no tribe buys bread at a lower price, and no tribe buys fuel at a lower price. Similarly, no religion buys bread or fuel at a lower price,” Obi said.
He added that poverty and insecurity remain national problems that require collective solutions rather than ethnic or religious approaches.
The NDC presidential candidate called for the emergence of a president who would prioritise national security and work relentlessly to unite the country.
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Obi also urged his supporters and other Nigerians committed to credible elections to mobilise voters and ensure adequate deployment of polling agents across the country.
He stressed the importance of protecting votes on election day, urging voters to remain at their polling units after casting their ballots until counting is completed.
According to him, citizens must remain actively involved in the electoral process if they want their preferred candidates to emerge through credible elections.
Obi further cautioned Nigerians against allowing money or intimidation to influence their electoral choices, arguing that accepting money from politicians could ultimately deprive communities of resources needed for development.
“If you accept money from them, that is money they would otherwise have spent on security, hospitals, and education,” he said.
On insecurity, Obi called for stronger support for Nigeria’s security agencies, including adequate logistics, equipment and welfare for personnel and their families.
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“We need a president who will lead from the front,” he said, stressing that security agencies must be properly equipped and supported to effectively protect Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson of the Peter Obi Media Office, POMR, Idris Zekeri, the NDC presidential candidate reiterated the need for Nigerians to remain united and actively participate in the 2027 electoral process.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, Obi’s message places national unity, voter mobilisation, electoral participation and security at the centre of his political campaign.
