Presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Dr. Esther Nkem Okereke, has expressed concern over rising poverty and economic hardship in the country, saying Nigeria’s democracy is “bleeding” despite 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, Okereke said many Nigerians were yet to enjoy the dividends of democracy, citing poverty, inflation, insecurity and challenges in the justice system as evidence that the country was falling short of the aspirations of the June 12 struggle.

The NRM presidential candidate paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12, 1993 election and the pro-democracy movement, including Chief MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransom-Kuti and other activists who fought for democratic governance.

According to her, the sacrifices made by the heroes of democracy were aimed at building a country where citizens could access quality education, healthcare, jobs and justice.

“Thirty-three years ago, Nigerians of every tribe and faith stood together for a dream. They did not die for speeches; they died for a Nigeria where a child can learn without fear, a mother can access healthcare with dignity, and a young person can find work without connections,” she said.

Okereke warned that remembering the June 12 struggle without taking concrete steps to address the country’s challenges would amount to betraying the ideals for which many activists fought.

Speaking on the state of the nation, she said democracy was under strain as many citizens had lost confidence in public institutions.

“My people, I will not lie to you. Democracy is bleeding. The court you run to for justice, sometimes justice does not show up. The vote you cast with hope sometimes disappears on the way. The profit earned by traders is consumed by inflation before the day ends,” she said.

Describing poverty as more than a statistical issue, Okereke said millions of Nigerians were struggling daily to survive amid worsening economic conditions.

“Over 100 million Nigerians living in poverty is not just a statistic. These are real people, our neighbours, families and communities,” she added.

The NRM standard-bearer used the occasion to unveil what she described as the “ESTHER Agenda”, a development blueprint focusing on energy, education, security, technology, healthcare, housing, job creation and value reorientation.

She promised investments in power supply and education, saying no child should learn under poor conditions and businesses should not be crippled by inadequate electricity.

On security, she pledged stronger action against banditry and other criminal activities, assuring citizens in troubled parts of the country that their concerns would receive priority attention.

Okereke also promised greater transparency in government through the deployment of technology, including making federal contracts publicly accessible to enhance accountability and reduce corruption.

She pledged to create jobs through investments in housing, agriculture and technology-driven enterprises while expanding access to affordable housing.
Addressing young Nigerians, the presidential hopeful urged them not to lose faith in the country.

She called on Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute to national development through investment and partnerships, while urging civil servants to recommit themselves to public service.

Okereke stressed that rebuilding Nigeria would require collective effort from citizens rather than reliance on political leaders alone.

“The Nigeria we dream of will not come from one president. It will come from all of us — the trader, the teacher, the soldier and the student. Working together, watching and refusing to give up,” she said.