Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has declared that no contender in the race for the 2027 presidency possesses a more comprehensive plan for transforming Northern Nigeria than he does.
Obi made the assertion during an interview on Arise Television programme, Prime Time, on Monday, dismissing concerns that he might struggle to secure electoral support in the region without alliances with influential northern political figures such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Nasir El-Rufai.
According to the former Anambra State governor, while collaboration remains valuable, his policy direction for the North is strong enough to stand on its own.
“I work with them so that they can do that, but I can tell you, nobody can do what I intend to do in the North,” Obi said.
He identified agriculture as the cornerstone of his proposed transformation agenda, noting that the region’s vast uncultivated land represents one of Nigeria’s most promising economic opportunities.
“I will change the North. Our greatest asset is in the North. The vast uncultivated land is our future. We can make more money from agriculture than we make from oil, and that we have to start doing immediately,” he stated.
Obi further linked economic revitalisation to security, arguing that investments in agriculture, education, and healthcare would address poverty and reduce instability across the region.
“If we want to secure the North today, we need to start investing in those critical areas — agriculture, pulling people out of poverty, investing in education, and investing in health — and that we can do,” he added.
His remarks come amid ongoing leadership tensions within the ADC, as opposition figures intensify efforts to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
