The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has formed its campaign council ahead of the 2027 polls, with a vow to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party's National Chairman, Chinedu Obi, unveiled the party’s “Esther Rescue Nigeria Agenda” in Abuja, outlining the party's vision for the country.
According to Obi, the NRM was founded on the conviction that “Nigeria can work again” through stronger institutions, accountability and effective leadership. He said Nigeria possesses enormous human and natural resources, agricultural potential, a youthful population and opportunities for industrial, technological and service-sector development. However, the country requires institutions and leadership systems capable of translating those advantages into measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.
The NRM's governing philosophy is anchored on “Rule of Law for Peace, Productivity and Shared Prosperity”. Obi argued that predictable laws, credible institutions, enforceable contracts and accountable public officials are essential to building a functional and productive state. He also announced the party’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption, emphasizing transparent processes, effective controls, independent oversight and consequences for violations of established laws and procedures.
The party aims to move Nigeria from a personality-driven system of governance to an institution-driven one. Obi identified productivity, employment, living standards, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, energy, industrialisation, agriculture, justice and institutional capacity as interconnected areas requiring comprehensive attention. The NRM's policy engagement is structured around six principal pillars under the Esther Rescue Nigeria Agenda, drawn from the party's 24-pillar blueprint.
The six pillars focus on effective state institutions, a productive economy, education and healthcare, security and justice, infrastructure and energy, as well as science, technology, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. The party has deliberately presented a presidential ticket comprising a woman and a younger professional, with Dr Esther Nkem Okereke as presidential candidate and Arc Nasir Suleiman Muhammed as running mate.
Okereke described the campaign council as the “rescue team” of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She said the NRM campaign would focus on structure, evidence and peace, rather than political noise, and announced a chain of command stretching from the presidential candidate and Director-General through national directorates, geopolitical zones, states, local government areas, wards and polling units.
Obi urged members of the newly inaugurated campaign council to ensure that the party’s campaign is based on ideas, policies and competence. The NRM presidential candidate emphasized the party's emphasis on inclusion, professional capacity and generational renewal. The party aims to promote “ideas rather than insults; policies rather than propaganda; competence rather than entitlement; service rather than self-enrichment; institutions rather than personalities; accountability rather than impunity”.
Key points
- The NRM has formed a campaign council to dislodge APC, ADC, NDC, PDP in 2027 polls.
- The party's governing philosophy is anchored on “Rule of Law for Peace, Productivity and Shared Prosperity”.
- The NRM's presidential ticket comprises Dr Esther Nkem Okereke and Arc Nasir Suleiman Muhammed.
