Dr. Esther Okereke, the presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), has vowed to rescue Nigeria from insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and hopelessness if elected in the 2027 general elections. Okereke made this promise during the inauguration of the party's Presidential Campaign Council. She emphasized that the inauguration marked the beginning of a "rescue team" for the country, signaling a shift in the party's approach to politics.
Okereke highlighted the need for a change in Nigeria's political landscape, stating that for too long, politics in the country has been about sharing power, whereas the NRM's politics will focus on sharing prosperity. She also emphasized that the party's campaign will be structured around evidence, peace, and a well-planned strategy, rather than mere noise. According to Okereke, the NRM aims to address some of the challenges confronting the country, including insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and hopelessness.
The NRM presidential candidate outlined the party's principles, which include legality, constitutionalism, accountability, transparency, unity, peaceful participation, and the rule of law. Okereke also disclosed that the campaign council has been structured to operate from the national level down to the polling units, with 30 national directorates, six geopolitical zones, 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as local government areas and wards.
The campaign council is chaired by Chinedu Obi, with Okereke as co-chairman, Dr. Mustapha Umar Kumshe as the deputy chairman, and Nasir Suleiman Muhammed as the co-deputy chairman. Other members of the council include Hassan Aminu Ibrahim as the secretary, Obidike Okolo as the deputy secretary, Alhaji Sani Garba as the Director-General, and Shedrach Oka as the Deputy Director-General. Okereke directed members of the council to operate within an established chain of command and warned against unauthorized statements and parallel commands.
Chinedu Obi, the national chairman of the NRM, stated that the party was founded on the conviction that Nigeria could work again through stronger institutions, accountability, and effective leadership. He noted that Nigeria possesses enormous human and natural resources, agricultural potential, a youthful population, and opportunities for industrial, technological, and service-sector development. However, Obi emphasized that the country requires institutions and leadership systems capable of translating these advantages into measurable improvements in citizens' lives.
Okereke is one of the two female candidates contesting the 2027 presidential election. Her campaign council inauguration marks a significant milestone in the NRM's quest to provide a new political direction for Nigeria. The party's focus on addressing pressing national issues, such as insecurity and hunger, is expected to resonate with voters.
The NRM's approach to politics and governance is centered on providing a rescue package for Nigeria, which Okereke believes is necessary to address the country's multifaceted challenges. The party's campaign strategy and principles are designed to promote a new era of leadership and governance in Nigeria, with a focus on accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.
Key points
- Dr. Esther Okereke promises to address insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and hopelessness if elected in 2027.
- The NRM's campaign council is structured to operate from the national level down to the polling units.
- The party's principles include legality, constitutionalism, accountability, transparency, unity, peaceful participation, and the rule of law.
