Nigeria’s 150-day campaign period for the 16 January 2027 presidential election officially commenced on Wednesday, with former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi, unveiled as the party’s “Candidate of Conscience.”
Obi’s media office, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, said the campaign was launched in accordance with Section 98(1) of the 2026 Electoral Act, which provides for a 150-day campaign period ending on 15 January 2027, a day before the presidential election.
According to the statement, Obi was presented to Nigerians as a candidate whose political identity was built around prudence, discipline, accountability and responsible management of public resources. It said his candidacy offered an alternative to what it described as a political system characterised by fiscal recklessness and transactional leadership.
The campaign said Obi’s message would focus on moving Nigeria from “consumption to production”, reducing the cost of governance, improving education and healthcare, strengthening national security and expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
The statement framed the 2027 presidential election as a choice between two contrasting visions of the country: one burdened by waste, division and broken promises, and another driven by competence, accountability, productivity and hope. It described Obi’s campaign as a call for Nigerians who believe that public office should serve the people rather than become a means of personal enrichment.
The former Anambra governor, the statement added, was not seeking support based on ethnicity, religion or political connections, but wanted voters to assess him on his record, ideas and character. It cited his tenure as governor as evidence of his emphasis on prudent management of public resources, with attention to education, healthcare, infrastructure and fiscal responsibility.
The campaign urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records, policies and character of all presidential candidates throughout the 150-day campaign period, asking voters to determine who has the greatest capacity to build a secure, prosperous, united and accountable Nigeria. “The road to January 16, 2027, begins effectively today,” the statement declared, adding: “Let the campaign begin. Let the people decide.”
