Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has challenged all candidates seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election to publicly defend their records and subject their plans for Nigeria to scrutiny.

Obi made the call on Friday at a press conference to formally kick-start his campaign for the 2027 presidential election.

He said candidates seeking to lead Nigeria must have the courage to engage directly with citizens, answer their questions and defend their records, rather than relying on representatives or surrogates to speak on their behalf.

“Every candidate must be willing to present their credentials, defend their records, and subject their vision to open scrutiny,” Obi said.

“No candidate should hide behind the high walls of power, send proxies or surrogates and expect Nigerians to entrust them with the leadership of their country.

“Every candidate that seeks the presidency must have the courage to come before the people, answer their questions, defend their records, and subject their vision to public scrutiny.”

The former Anambra State governor said effective leadership requires leaders to be physically present among the people, particularly in communities affected by insecurity, natural disasters and other challenges.

According to him, a leader cannot claim to be leading from the front without physically standing with Nigerians affected by banditry, criminality, terrorism and flooding.

“You cannot truly lead a people you are unwilling to visit, listen to, and understand,” he said.

Obi said he and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso would take their campaign message directly to Nigerians, promising to engage citizens across the country and listen to their concerns.

“Today, I make a clear commitment that I and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso will take our message directly to Nigerians. We will listen to them, understand their concerns, and engage them openly. We will not delegate this process,” he said.

“We will answer the questions, defend our record and character, and present our plan to rebuild Nigeria.”

He further argued that any presidential candidate unwilling to travel across the country and engage directly with citizens would lack the capacity required to govern effectively.

Obi said his campaign would focus on what he described as the need to reset Nigeria by promoting national unity, strengthening security and placing the country on the path of economic and inclusive growth.

He said his administration, if elected, would also seek to move Nigeria away from a consumption-driven economy towards increased production.

“We are committed to commencing the journey of resetting Nigeria by uniting it, securing it, on the path of economic and inclusive growth, and moving our country from consumption to production,” Obi said.