Peter Obi emerges NDC presidential flag bearer, pledges 10,000MW power boost

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pledged a significant increase in Nigeria's electricity capacity, promising to add at least 10,000 megawatts to power generation and distribution within his first four years in office. Obi made this commitment on Saturday in Abuja as he formally accepted his nomination as the party's flag bearer, rallying support under the slogan "A New Nigeria is Possible."

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A New Nigeria is Possible.

Beyond the energy sector, Obi outlined a comprehensive agenda aimed at revitalizing the nation. His platform includes transforming the economy, enhancing national security, generating employment opportunities, and alleviating widespread hunger through strategic investments in critical sectors. He emphasized that his administration would prioritize transparency, productivity, and national unity, asserting that Nigeria's current difficulties demand decisive and immediate leadership.

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Nigeria today is the nation with the highest number of citizens lacking access to electricity globally.

Obi highlighted the persistent socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria, such as insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and limited access to essential services like healthcare and education. Despite these hurdles, he expressed strong confidence in Nigeria's potential to overcome them with effective resource management and visionary leadership. A central focus of his campaign is the power sector, which he described as fundamental to economic growth and industrial development. He pointed out that Nigeria, with over 200 million people, currently generates and distributes only about 4,000 megawatts, a figure he deemed grossly inadequate when compared to countries like South Africa and Egypt, which produce significantly more power with smaller populations.

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Over the next four years, I commit to ensuring a minimum of 10,000 megawatts increase in power generation and distribution.

In addressing security concerns, Obi proposed intelligence-driven and technology-based solutions, while also tackling the underlying causes of instability, including poverty and social exclusion. His plans extend to bolstering the healthcare system, aiming to increase health insurance coverage and significantly raise healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP. Furthermore, he committed to ensuring functional primary healthcare centers in every political ward across Nigeria. Education is another key pillar of his platform, with promises of increased investment in schools, teacher training, and vocational skills development, recognizing human capital as the bedrock of national progress. Obi also voiced concern over food insecurity, noting projections of widespread hunger despite Nigeria's agricultural potential, and stated there is "absolutely no justification" for the nation's status among the world's hungriest.

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We have absolutely no justification for being among the world’s hungriest nations.