2027: Obi Pledges Power Sector Overhaul, Emergency Measures Against Corruption

Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has pledged to prioritise electricity supply, security, education and the fight against corruption if elected president in Nigeria’s 2027 general election.

Obi made the commitments during a town hall meeting in Enugu on Thursday, October 29, where he outlined his proposed approach to addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.

The former Anambra State governor said his administration would pursue emergency interventions in critical sectors, arguing that persistent electricity shortages, insecurity, unemployment and weak public accountability continued to affect households and businesses.

On electricity, Obi reiterated his pledge to generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of power, describing reliable electricity as essential to industrial development and job creation.

“As I promised, we will generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity, because we want industrial work,” he said, according to Vanguard’s report of the meeting.

He also promised to declare an emergency in the fight against corruption, insisting that public resources should be used for the benefit of citizens.

“People must stop stealing public money. Public money must be used for public good. That is why I am making my commitment. We will be accountable, we will be open,” Obi said.

The NDC candidate said Nigerians should be able to understand why the government borrows money and how such funds are spent. He argued that public borrowing must be accompanied by transparency and accountability.

Obi also challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain his administration’s performance since taking office in 2023, including the utilisation of borrowed funds and the results achieved through government expenditure.

He urged the President to spend time engaging Nigerians across the country and accounting for his administration’s record, rather than leaving citizens without clear explanations of government activities.

Promises on security, education and healthcare

Obi said his proposed administration would take a more direct approach to insecurity, promising to unite the country, protect lives and property, and confront criminal activity.

He also pledged emergency measures in education, with a commitment to expanding access to schooling, while promising to ensure access to primary healthcare in every ward across the country.

The candidate argued that the country’s challenges required leadership that prioritised public welfare, accountability and economic productivity.

His proposals followed similar commitments made during a town hall meeting in Nasarawa State on Wednesday, October 28, where he promised emergency interventions in security, education and electricity.

At that meeting, he also argued that borrowing was not inherently wrong but should be directed towards productive investments rather than corruption or consumption.

Electricity target raises questions about delivery

Obi’s electricity pledge remains a central part of his proposed economic programme. However, the wording of his target has varied across reports of his campaign commitments.

In June, reports of his acceptance speech after emerging as the NDC’s presidential candidate described a pledge to increase electricity generation and distribution by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years.

The October 29 report, meanwhile, quoted him as promising to generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts.

The difference is significant: adding 10,000MW to existing supply would be a different target from reaching a total of 10,000MW. The latest statement, as reported, does not by itself settle that distinction.

The pledge also raises questions about the proposed financing, generation capacity, gas supply, transmission infrastructure and distribution arrangements required to deliver reliable electricity on the scale promised.

Obi’s commitments are campaign proposals, and their feasibility will depend on the details of the policies, resources and implementation arrangements his party presents to voters.

The 2027 election is expected to put the competing parties’ plans for electricity, security, employment, education, healthcare and public accountability under increased scrutiny.