Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has appealed to Nigerians to join hands with him to rescue the country from decades of poor governance.
The former Anambra State governor said “Operation Rescue Nigeria” is not about him as an individual but about securing the future for generations who will bear the consequences of persistent bad governance.
Obi spoke on Saturday in Uyo at the OBIDIENT Conference and official declaration for the African Democratic Congress, themed “Activating the PO Effect in ADC.”
He urged Nigerians to set aside their differences and unite ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“Nigeria must get it right in 2027. Election results must be transmitted online in real time, and whoever fails to transmit results will be transmitted. Democracy must work. I appeal to you to join hands with me to rescue this country,” he said.
Obi explained that he left the Labour Party after learning that the Independent National Electoral Commission would not recognise its leadership and that the Federal Government did not want him on the ballot.
“I left the Labour Party when I got informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC will not recognise its leadership, and the Federal Government does not want me on the ballot.
“But I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election even if it is held in their bedroom. And if they don’t want to transmit the result, we will transmit it for them,” Obi said.
He criticised the current administration for accumulating what he described as unprecedented loans, warning that future generations would bear the repayment burden between 2045 and 2050.
Obi pledged that his administration would prioritise education and healthcare, noting that developed nations achieved progress through deliberate investment in human capital.
He also promised to tackle poverty and criminality, adding that he would tour higher institutions across the country to understand their challenges.
On corruption, Obi said the problem would reduce significantly under his leadership. He recalled that during his tenure as governor, he declined to institutionalise the Office of the First Lady and did not allocate government land to himself or his family.
Also speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the OBIDIENT Movement worldwide, Dr Tanko Yunusa, urged Nigerians to mobilise ahead of 2027 and channel their energy into the ADC as a vehicle for transformation.
The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of OBIDIENT, Dr Ben Smith, warned against division within the movement, stressing that unity was essential to achieving a new Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Tanko said early mobilisation structures were being consolidated across wards and local government areas.
“In 2027, you will either count the votes correctly, or you will be counted. We must all be ready to defend our votes,” he said.
He called on supporters to intensify grassroots engagement, organise ward meetings and strengthen polling unit structures in preparation for the election.
Obi’s supporters said they would not allow a repeat of the controversies that trailed the 2023 general election as they align strategically with the ADC.
