By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to prioritise national unity, security, job creation, education and poverty reduction, saying Nigeria needs purposeful leadership to address the challenges confronting its citizens.
Obi made the pledge during a town hall meeting themed “Leadership Dialogue and the Future of Nigeria,” held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at Crispan Hotel, Jos, Plateau State.
He identified national unity as his foremost commitment, stressing the need to bring Nigerians together irrespective of their backgrounds and build a country where citizens can enjoy peace, security and economic opportunities.
On youth development and employment, Obi said increased production and investment in productive sectors would create jobs and improve living conditions.
He noted that insecurity had continued to disrupt agricultural activities, particularly in rural communities, where farmers, including women, were finding it increasingly difficult to access their farms.
According to him, boosting local production would stimulate economic activities, expand employment opportunities and reduce poverty.
On education, Obi promised increased investment through the construction of classrooms, recruitment of teachers and improvement of learning facilities.
He expressed concern over the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, stressing the need to return more children to classrooms and ensure that schools function effectively.
The NDC presidential candidate also questioned the management of public funds, particularly budgetary allocations for infrastructure and social development, insisting that Nigerians deserved accountability in the utilisation of public resources.
He argued that effective leadership required transparency and the ability to translate available resources into projects that directly improve people’s lives.
On healthcare, Obi lamented the state of medical facilities in the country, saying Nigerians deserved access to functional hospitals and quality healthcare services.
He further called for a government that listens to ordinary Nigerians and responds to their needs through practical policies and programmes.
Earlier, some stakeholders raised concerns about youth protection, electoral mandates and government support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
One of the youth participants asked what concrete measures would be taken to protect young people and defend their interests, particularly in the political process.
Others urged political leaders to ensure that votes counted and that mandates freely given by the electorate were protected, stressing that Nigerians should not be denied the opportunity to choose their leaders through the ballot.
A participant from the SME sector also sought clarification on plans to support businesses and improve the operating environment for entrepreneurs.
Responding, Obi reiterated the need for leadership that listens to citizens, addresses their challenges and provides practical solutions.
He urged Nigerians to demonstrate patriotism and actively participate in building a united, secure and prosperous nation.
