PORT HARCOURT — Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have decried the escalating levels of economic hardship, inflation, and widespread security challenges across the country, urging citizens to take ownership of Nigeria’s future by using their votes decisively in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a session of the Obi Talks Nigeria town hall series, the duo engaged directly with supporters and residents, warning political leaders that power cannot be maintained through intimidation or electoral shortcuts.
Addressing the gathering, Obi stressed that leadership requires direct accountability and face-to-face interaction with citizens rather than governance by proxy. He assured voters that attempts to manipulate polling units or the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) would be aggressively resisted by the public. Emphasizing his resolve, Obi declared that he remains prepared to make the ultimate personal sacrifice to ensure that citizens’ democratic choices are fully protected and counted.
Corroborating his running mate’s assessment, Kwankwaso highlighted the severe economic strain on Nigerian households, pointing to eroding purchasing power, out-of-school children, and deteriorating infrastructure, particularly across Northern Nigeria. Kwankwaso dismissed claims by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that controlling over 30 state governorships guarantees presidential victory, referencing historical precedents—including the 2015 election—to demonstrate that incumbency and state control cannot override widespread public discontent.
