2027 polls: Obi described as ‘candidate of conscience’, as campaigns begin

By Jude Opara

As campaigns for the 2027 general elections officially kicked off on Wednesday, the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has urged Nigerians to listen to the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing him as a ‘candidate of conscience’.

In a statement on Wednesday, the spokesman of the group, Zekeri Idris said Obi has become a candidate of conscience because of his operational standards rooted in integrity, frugality and accountability, amongst many others.

Idris said the 150 days designated for campaigns by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will equally be a period when Nigerians will showcase the kind of nation they want to make out of the nation.

“Calling a political leader a “candidate of conscience” recognises an operational standard rooted in integrity, frugality, and accountability. In a landscape long characterised by fiscal recklessness and transactional leadership, Obi’s public profile stands out for specific, structural reasons.

“For us in the Peter Obi Media Office, these 150 days are crucial because they mark a journey that will culminate on January 16, 2027, when Nigerians decide not only who becomes president but also what kind of nation Nigeria will evolve into”.

He added that the 2027 election will be a battle between two opposing visions for the country.

“This campaign goes beyond a typical political contest. It is a battle between two opposing visions: a Nigeria burdened by old habits of waste, division, and broken promises, and a Nigeria driven by competence, accountability, productivity, and hope.

“At the forefront of this historic mission is Peter Obi—the candidate whose political identity has become closely linked with prudence, discipline, and public accountability. His campaign message continues to emphasise transforming Nigeria “from consumption to production,” reducing the cost of governance, strengthening education and healthcare, enhancing security, and creating opportunities for young Nigerians”.

The POMR spokesman further stated that Obi is not campaigning as an ethnic champion or for any particular religion, but with the burning desire to make the country work again for all Nigerians.

He warned the citizens to be wary of those who will come make all manner of promises to them, only to jettison them as soon as they get into office; adding that they should only vote for the candidate who has competence, capacity, character and compassion.

“Over the next 150 days, Nigerians will hear many promises. They will witness political rallies, campaign slogans, and passionate debates. Yet the most important question remains unchanged:

“Who possesses the integrity, discipline, and courage to rescue Nigeria from economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and institutional decay?

“Peter Obi believes the answer lies in restoring trust between government and the people. He has pledged to reduce the cost of governance, fight corruption through transparency, invest in productive sectors of the economy, and ensure that public resources serve the public good rather than political privilege.

“This is more than a campaign for votes. It is a call to Nigerians who believe that public office should be an instrument of service, not personal enrichment; that leadership should unite rather than divide; and that every child, regardless of birthplace or background, deserves the opportunity to succeed.

“From today until January 16, 2027, every speech, debate, manifesto, and campaign stop should be judged by one standard: Which candidate offers the greatest capacity to build a secure, prosperous, united, and accountable Nigeria?

“Peter Obi will not be asking Nigerians to vote for him because of his ethnicity, religion, or political connections. He asks to be judged by his record, his ideas, and his character. As governor of Anambra State, he consistently portrayed himself as a prudent manager of public resources, emphasising investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure while advocating fiscal responsibility. Throughout his public life, he has argued that government should serve the people rather than those in power”.

The statement added that governance is neither a personal inheritance nor a reward for political loyalty, hence the need to listen to Obi’s message which centres on the conviction that leadership must be earned through verifiable competence, character, and measurable outcomes.