Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has pledged to tackle corruption, strengthen the economy and improve investment in education and healthcare if elected president in 2027.
Obi made the pledge on Tuesday during a town hall meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, where he engaged residents on issues affecting the country.
The former Anambra State governor said entrenched corruption remained one of the major obstacles to Nigeria’s development, insisting that the problem must be decisively addressed.
“Endemic, entrenched and institutional corruption remains at the core of many of the challenges confronting Nigeria today and must be decisively addressed,” he said.
Obi said his vision for Nigeria included strengthening national unity and security, investing in critical sectors and reducing poverty.
He added that his proposed administration would focus on improving the country’s productive capacity while ensuring that more Nigerians had access to quality education and healthcare.
The town hall meeting also featured discussions on agriculture, tourism, the challenges facing the Ajaokuta Steel Company and other issues affecting national development.
During the visit, Obi paid a courtesy call on the Maigari of Lokoja, His Royal Highness Dr Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, who shared historical accounts of the city with him.
The presidential candidate also visited historical sites, including Holy Trinity Primary School, established in 1865, and the Iron of Liberty monument.
Reflecting on the school’s history, Obi expressed concern over Nigeria’s out-of-school children, saying the country had not done enough to build on the foundations laid by previous generations.
He also highlighted the tourism potential of Kogi State, noting that the state and the country had several attractions that remained underutilised.
Obi later visited a business owner whose shopping complex was recently destroyed by fire before interacting with traders at Kpata Market in Lokoja.
According to him, the traders complained about rising prices and low patronage, which they attributed to declining purchasing power among consumers.
The visit formed part of Obi’s nationwide town hall meetings ahead of the 2027 general elections, through which he has been engaging citizens on his proposed approach to governance and the challenges confronting the country.