The presidential candidate of the National Rescue Mission, NRM, Esther Okereke, has urged governments and political leaders in Nigeria to prioritize sharing prosperity over sharing power. Speaking at the inauguration of the party's Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, Okereke emphasized that the country needs to be rescued from darkness, hunger, insecurity, joblessness, and hopelessness. She believes that campaigns should focus on structure, evidence, and peace rather than noise.
Okereke's call for a shift in focus comes as Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including high levels of poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. The country's 2025 budget has been extended to December, and there are ongoing efforts to rescue 116 schoolchildren and other abductees in Borno. Okereke's NRM party aims to provide a new direction for the country, one that prioritizes the needs of its citizens.
The National Chairman of the NRM, Prince Chinedu Obi, highlighted the country's potential, citing its large and youthful population, enormous human capital, vast agricultural potential, and strategic geographical location. He emphasized that the question is not whether Nigeria has potential, but whether it can build the institutions, leadership systems, and accountability mechanisms needed to convert that potential into tangible improvements in citizens' lives.
Obi stressed the importance of social justice, which he defines as creating a political and economic order where citizenship, opportunity, public resources, and the protection of law are not determined by ethnicity, religion, social status, or access to power. He also emphasized the need for the rule of law, which he believes is essential for a functional state where citizens can plan, businesses can invest, and innovation can flourish.
The NRM's vision for Nigeria involves developing a system consistent with the country's Constitution, democratic institutions, and fundamental rights. Obi noted that the party can learn from other countries' experiences, such as China's anti-corruption efforts, but must develop a system that works for Nigeria. This includes establishing standard operating procedures, institutional controls, and measurable performance indicators in government.
To achieve this, Obi proposed that every ministry, department, and agency should have clearly defined mandates, operational procedures, and performance indicators. He also emphasized the need for consequences for non-compliance and a move away from a personality-driven system to one that is institution-driven. This, he believes, will help ensure that government continues to function effectively regardless of who occupies a particular office.
The NRM's campaign is set to focus on these key issues, with Okereke and Obi leading the charge. The party's goal is to provide a new direction for Nigeria, one that prioritizes the needs of its citizens and helps to rescue the country from its current challenges.
Key points
- NRM presidential candidate Esther Okereke calls for focus on sharing prosperity over power
- Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including high levels of poverty, unemployment, and insecurity
- NRM aims to provide a new direction for Nigeria, prioritizing citizens' needs and rescuing the country from current challenges
