Peter Obi Accepts NDC Presidential Nomination, Declares ‘A New Nigeria is Possible’

Abuja, 31 May 2026

Mr Peter Obi has formally accepted his nomination as the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, telling supporters that “a New Nigeria is Possible”.

Speaking yesterday at a special convention in Abuja attended by delegates from across the country, Mr Obi expressed “deep humility” in accepting the role. He thanked the party’s National Chairman, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, the National Secretary, members of the National Working Committee, and the “relentless supporters” and Nigerian people who had kept “the spirit of hope alive”.

The former Anambra State governor said the moment was not about personal ambition but about the future of the nation and its children. He described Nigeria as being at “a crucial juncture, enveloped in uncertainty”, with families anxious about safety, parents worried for their children’s prospects, struggling businesses, and many citizens having lost faith in governance.

Yet he struck an optimistic note, declaring his “strong faith in the resilience of our people”.

Unity ‘indispensable’ for progress

Mr Obi said realising a New Nigeria required first mending the country’s foundations, beginning with unity. Nigeria could not advance while divided along ethnic, religious, regional or narrow political lines, he warned.

“We may communicate in different languages and practise diverse faiths, but we share a singular destiny under one flag,” he said. “Our diversity should not be a source of division; rather, it is among our greatest strengths.”

He called for bridges to be built instead of barriers, and for mistrust, division and resentment to be replaced by confidence, understanding and collective purpose.

“A united Nigeria is indispensable,” Mr Obi said, quoting the historian Will Durant: “A great civilisation is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.”

“We must never self-destruct. We must heal, unify, and progress together.”

Security situation ‘considerably worsened’

Turning to insecurity, Mr Obi said the situation had deteriorated sharply. He cited global terrorism impact assessments that ranked Nigeria as the eighth most affected nation in 2022, sixth in 2024 and fourth in 2026.

He contrasted this with Nigeria’s earlier international reputation as a reliable contributor to peacekeeping, regional stabilisation and conflict resolution. Nigerian troops had served with professionalism and discipline in missions in Rwanda, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Western Sahara, Congo, Lebanon, Cambodia, Haiti and Kuwait, he said.

At one point, Lieutenant General Isaac Obiakor (retired) had even led global peacekeeping initiatives.

“No nation can thrive while its citizens live in trepidation,” Mr Obi said. “The primary responsibility of the government is to ensure the safeguarding of lives and property.”

Mr Obi’s acceptance speech, delivered with characteristic measured tone, was warmly received by delegates who had gathered in the capital. The NDC is positioning itself as a major force ahead of the 2027 polls, with Mr Obi’s nomination seen as a significant boost to the party’s profile.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023 now carries the NDC banner with a clear message: that national renewal remains achievable if Nigerians choose unity over division and decisive action over despair.