The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections to make ideas, practical solutions and national interest the centre of their campaigns.
Obi said political differences should not be allowed to deepen divisions among Nigerians, urging candidates to conduct their campaigns with respect, civility and a commitment to improving the lives of citizens.
The former Anambra State governor made the appeal in a statement titled “Unity and Love in Politics” after attending the commissioning of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential campaign office in Abuja.
Obi said Nigeria was facing serious challenges that should dominate political debates ahead of the election, rather than ethnic, religious or other forms of divisive rhetoric.
He identified insecurity, poverty, hunger, inequality and the growing number of out-of-school children among the issues requiring urgent attention from political leaders.
According to him, the 2027 election should provide an opportunity for candidates to present credible plans capable of addressing those challenges rather than turning the contest into a platform for attacking political opponents.
Obi also stressed the importance of placing national interest above partisan considerations.
He said the shared commitment of Nigerians to the country should remain greater than political differences, particularly as the election approaches and political competition becomes more intense.
The NDC candidate called for campaigns that would promote unity, restore hope and improve the standard of living of Nigerians.
He urged contestants to compete on the strength of their policies and proposed solutions, while maintaining mutual respect and decency throughout the electoral process.
“Let us compete on ideas that will unite our people, improve their lives, and restore hope to our nation,” Obi said.
Obi attended the APM campaign office commissioning alongside Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who is the party’s presidential candidate, and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the APM leader.
He congratulated Makinde, Mohammed and other party leaders and members on the commissioning of the facility.
The former Anambra governor’s presence at the event has also generated political interest, with his appearance prompting fresh speculation about possible alignments or realignments among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
However, Obi’s statement focused primarily on the broader conduct of political competition and the need for candidates to prioritise national development.
His call comes as political parties and presidential aspirants increasingly position themselves ahead of the 2027 election, with economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and governance expected to feature prominently in the campaigns.
Obi maintained that political competition should ultimately serve the interests of Nigerians and should not become a source of further division.
He therefore appealed to all contestants to approach the forthcoming elections with a sense of responsibility and to ensure that their campaigns offer Nigerians meaningful choices based on policies, competence and solutions to the country’s problems.
The appeal adds to growing calls within the political space for issue-based campaigns as parties prepare for what is expected to be a closely contested 2027 presidential race.
