Dr. Esther Nkem Okereke has emerged as the National Rescue Movement (NRM) presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Okereke emerged victorious ahead of two other aspirants, Ademola Joseph Onigbokun and Oluwadare Joseph Faduri, during the party’s national convention held in Abuja at the weekend.

In her acceptance speech, Okereke described her emergence as “a sacred assignment and a call to service,” assuring Nigerians that under her leadership, “Nigeria shall rise and work again.”

According to her, the country is currently facing deep socio-economic and governance challenges that require courageous and visionary leadership.

“Our nation is bleeding. Millions of our people are trapped in pain, poverty, fear, and uncertainty. Families sleep in darkness in a nation overflowing with energy resources. Parents struggle to feed their children despite working tirelessly.

“The truth must be told boldly: Nigeria today is a nation battling systemic failure.

“The people have carried the burden while a privileged few continue to profit from national pain. But my fellow Nigerians, failure is not our destiny.

“This nation was not created to become a global symbol of wasted opportunities. Nigeria was not ordained to remain the poverty capital of the world. Nigeria was not destined to bury the dreams of its youths.”

Okereke also urged Nigerians to unite in rebuilding the country, saying the era of broken promises must come to an end.

She promised to pursue policies that would guarantee stable electricity supply, food security, business growth and youth empowerment.

She added, “We can build a nation where electricity is stable and constant. A nation where no child goes to bed hungry. A nation where businesses thrive. A nation where our youths are creators of innovation, not victims of frustration. A nation where human life is sacred. A nation where leadership becomes service, not exploitation.

“Together, we can end the era of broken promises. Together, we can lift the heavy burden of survival from the shoulders of our people. Together, we can build a nation where every citizen matters and counts. Together, we can restore Nigeria’s dignity among the nations of the world.”

Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Prince Dr. Chinedu Obi, described the convention as a defining moment for both the party and the nation.

Obi said: “Today, we gather in Abuja at a defining moment in the history of our nation and our party. This convention is not merely a political event; it is a solemn national responsibility. It is a rendezvous with history. It is a call to duty. It is a declaration that Nigeria can work again.”

He commended party delegates and supporters for attending the convention despite prevailing security challenges across the country.

According to him, the NRM was founded as a platform committed to rescuing Nigeria from poverty, insecurity, corruption and poor governance.

Obi added, “The National Rescue Movement rejects the narrative that poverty is our destiny. We reject the notion that insecurity is inevitable. We reject the assumption that corruption is incurable. We reject the belief that Nigeria cannot work.”

Obi said the party remained committed to building a peaceful, productive and equitable society where citizens can realize their full potential.

He added that the 2027 general election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to choose visionary leadership capable of restoring hope and national prosperity.