Former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has pledged to drastically reduce corruption and the cost of governance in Nigeria if elected president in 2027.

Obi made the remarks on Saturday in Abuja shortly after he was ratified as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at the party’s national convention. The former Labour Party candidate emerged as the party’s flagbearer after contesting as the sole aspirant for the ticket. 

In his acceptance speech, Obi said tackling corruption and waste in public spending would be a major priority of his administration, arguing that Nigeria’s resources are sufficient to address many of the country’s challenges if managed prudently.

“This waste must stop,” Obi said, while promising to pursue reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in government operations.

He also vowed to reduce the cost of governance, a longstanding issue in Nigeria’s political discourse, and channel more resources toward development priorities such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and job creation.

The NDC convention, held in Abuja, drew several prominent political figures, including former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson, who joined party members and supporters for the event. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also reported to have attended in line with electoral requirements. 

Obi’s emergence follows his clearance by the party’s screening committee and weeks of preparations ahead of the NDC primary process, where he stood as the only presidential aspirant. 

The former governor is expected to lead the NDC into the 2027 presidential election, where opposition parties are seeking to challenge incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Political activities have intensified ahead of the 2027 general election, with parties repositioning and forming new alliances as the race for Nigeria’s highest office gathers momentum.