By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said Nigeria must shift from a consumption-driven economy to one focused on production, warning that no nation can import its way to prosperity.
Obi stated this on Friday in Onitsha, Anambra State, while addressing journalists on the key issues he intends to take to Nigerians during the 2027 presidential campaign.
The former Anambra State governor said his campaign would be centred on a national conversation about rebuilding the country, stressing that he and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, despite their different backgrounds and experiences, shared a common goal of improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
According to him, Nigeria must invest in its people and ensure that public resources are managed responsibly.
Obi said the success of economic policies should be measured by their impact on ordinary Nigerians, asking whether citizens were better off, could afford food, education and healthcare, and whether businesses could expand and create jobs.
He also questioned whether young Nigerians were finding productive employment and whether farmers could operate safely and transport their produce to markets.
The NDC candidate urged Nigerians to demand direct answers from political leaders and carefully assess the records, ideas and programmes of presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 election.
He said Nigeria was facing serious challenges, including poverty, insecurity, unemployment and displacement, but expressed confidence that the country could overcome them with responsible leadership.
On economic transformation, Obi said Nigeria’s large population represented a major opportunity that should be converted into productive capacity.
“Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity. We will produce more of what we consume, process more of what we produce, and compete more effectively in global markets,” he said.
He said his administration would seek to transform Nigeria’s population into productive human capital, turn natural resources into value-added industries and make the domestic market a stronger engine for investment and enterprise.
Obi identified agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries and services as sectors that would play important roles in driving economic growth.
He also highlighted insecurity as a major obstacle to national development, noting that conflict and criminal activities had displaced millions of Nigerians and disrupted agriculture, education, trade and investment.
He advocated improved intelligence gathering, better coordination among security agencies, stronger policing and border management, as well as greater use of technology to tackle insecurity.
Obi further addressed healthcare, unemployment and democratic governance, urging voters to scrutinise candidates before giving them their mandate.
He said any presidential candidate unwilling to travel across the country, meet Nigerians and answer their questions would lack the capacity to govern effectively.
The statement was signed by Idris Zekeri Jnr, spokesperson for POMR, and dated August 21, 2026.