Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged politicians seeking elective offices to avoid making campaign promises they may be unable to fulfil if elected.
Obi made the call during a town hall meeting with NDC members and supporters in Kaduna State, where he advocated issue-based and demand-driven political campaigns focused on the concerns of Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor said political campaigns should go beyond rhetoric and promises, stressing the need for candidates and political parties to engage citizens directly and understand the challenges confronting communities.
According to him, candidates seeking public office should make commitments that are realistic, measurable and connected to the needs of the people rather than offering promises simply to secure votes.
Obi’s position formed part of his broader campaign message ahead of the 2027 election, with the NDC candidate calling for greater attention to issues affecting Nigerians, including insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare and economic hardship.
He said political parties should use town hall meetings and other direct engagements to listen to voters and allow citizens to question candidates about their policies and plans for government.
The Kaduna meeting also provided an opportunity for NDC members and supporters to interact directly with the presidential candidate and raise concerns about the country’s political and socio-economic situation.
Obi has, in recent weeks, repeatedly called for campaigns centred on national issues rather than ethnic or religious sentiments. In an earlier campaign engagement, he challenged presidential candidates to appear before Nigerians, defend their records and subject their proposed programmes to public scrutiny.
At the Kaduna gathering, Obi also spoke about his approach to presidential leadership and promised that, if elected, he would spend his annual holidays in Nigeria rather than travelling abroad.
He said the President should remain connected to citizens and use holiday periods as an opportunity to visit different parts of the country.
According to Obi, such visits would enable the President to interact with communities and gain first-hand knowledge of their challenges, particularly areas affected by insecurity and other socio-economic difficulties.
The proposal follows his earlier criticism of presidential holidays outside Nigeria, when he argued that Nigerian leaders could contribute to domestic tourism by spending more time travelling within the country.
Obi said greater domestic travel by political leaders, businesspeople and other Nigerians could support tourism, hospitality, transportation and small businesses while promoting the country’s cultural and economic potential.
Also speaking at the Kaduna town hall, the NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, encouraged Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process.
Kwankwaso urged voters to take their civic responsibilities seriously and use the opportunity provided by elections to determine who governs them.
The Kaduna engagement is part of the NDC’s ongoing grassroots outreach ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party has been using town hall meetings and direct interactions with citizens to present its political message and hear concerns from different parts of the country.
Obi’s latest call for realistic campaign promises adds to his repeated emphasis on public accountability, direct engagement with citizens and issue-based political campaigns as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
