Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to confront corruption, strengthen Nigeria’s economy and increase investment in education and healthcare if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Obi made the commitment on Tuesday during a town hall meeting with residents in Lokoja, Kogi State, where he discussed governance, economic challenges and priorities for national development.
He identified corruption embedded in public institutions as a major impediment to Nigeria’s progress, arguing that addressing the problem would be essential to achieving meaningful development.
“Endemic, entrenched and institutional corruption remains at the core of many of the challenges confronting Nigeria today and must be decisively addressed,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor outlined a vision centred on national unity, improved security, poverty reduction and greater investment in sectors critical to human development. He also emphasised the need to expand Nigeria’s productive capacity while making quality education and healthcare more accessible to citizens.
Discussions at the meeting covered agriculture, tourism, the challenges surrounding the Ajaokuta Steel Company and other issues affecting the country’s economic and social development.
As part of his engagements in Lokoja, Obi paid a courtesy visit to the Maigari of Lokoja, His Royal Highness Dr Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, who provided historical accounts of the city. He also toured notable heritage sites, including Holy Trinity Primary School, founded in 1865, and the Iron of Liberty monument.
Reflecting on the school’s history, Obi expressed concern about the number of Nigerian children currently out of school, questioning the country’s progress in building on the educational foundations established by earlier generations.
He also drew attention to Kogi State’s tourism prospects, noting that several attractions across the state and the wider country remained underutilised despite their potential to contribute to economic growth.
The NDC presidential candidate subsequently visited a business owner whose shopping complex was recently gutted by fire before proceeding to Kpata Market, where he interacted with traders.
During the market visit, traders reportedly raised concerns about escalating commodity prices and declining patronage, linking the situation to consumers’ reduced purchasing power amid prevailing economic difficulties.
The Lokoja engagement forms part of Obi’s nationwide town hall meetings ahead of the 2027 general elections, through which he has been seeking citizens’ perspectives on Nigeria’s challenges while presenting his proposed priorities for governance.
