NDC Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have assured Nigerians that they will prioritise tackling insecurity, reducing poverty and easing the burden of rising fuel costs if elected.
The assurance was given during an interactive town hall meeting held in Kaduna on Saturday, where the party’s leadership engaged residents on issues affecting the country and outlined its plans for governance.
The Kaduna event came shortly after Obi visited the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute in Rigachikun, Kaduna State.
According to Obi, the town hall formed part of the party’s ongoing nationwide engagement with Nigerians, following a similar interactive session recently held in Port Harcourt.
He said the forum provided an opportunity to listen directly to citizens, respond to their concerns and receive suggestions on the country’s pressing challenges.
“Yesterday, after my visit to the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute in Rigachikun, Kaduna, I joined my running mate, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and candidates of our party for an interactive town hall meeting organised by the party.”
“The town hall, which is a continuation of our series of engagements with citizens following the one we recently held in Port Harcourt, again afforded us the opportunity to interact directly with our fellow citizens, listen to their concerns, answer their questions and hear their contributions on the critical issues facing our country today.”
Obi said the party used the meeting to reassure Nigerians of its commitment to national unity, economic recovery and improved social services.
“Our response was to reassure our dear compatriots of our commitment to uniting our nation, pulling our people out of poverty, investing in healthcare and education, and aggressively tackling insecurity, so that our people can safely return to their homes, communities and farms.”
He also said discussions focused on addressing challenges in the country’s fuel subsidy system and creating an economy that would improve the welfare of citizens.
“We also spoke about the need to address the endemic corruption and inefficiencies in the fuel subsidy regime, reduce the burden of fuel costs on Nigerians, and create an economy that supports our citizens to live decent and dignified lives in their own country.”
The former Anambra State governor urged other presidential contenders to adopt similar engagements with Nigerians, saying democracy thrives when leaders remain accessible to the people.
“Let me use this opportunity once again to call on our opponents to also speak directly with the people and listen to their feedback. The very essence of democracy is people-centred governance. Leaders and aspiring leaders must therefore leave their comfort zones and interface directly with the people they seek to serve.”
Obi thanked the party leadership and organisers for the successful event and commended residents of Kaduna State for their participation and support.
“I thank our party leadership and the organisers of this town hall for a job well done, and I congratulate the good people of Kaduna State for their renewed commitment to supporting a leadership that listens to and respects their concerns.”
He ended his message with his familiar campaign slogan:
“A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK.”
The Kaduna town hall is one of several citizen engagement meetings being organised by the party as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections. The initiative is aimed at providing a platform for direct interaction between party leaders and Nigerians on issues of governance, security, the economy and national development.
