Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to prioritise national unity and issues affecting citizens when choosing the country’s next president.

Obi made the call on Sunday during the NDC Global Digital Town Hall, where he discussed national unity, insecurity, voter mobilisation and electoral safeguards ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The former Anambra State governor said economic hardship and insecurity affected Nigerians regardless of their ethnic, religious or regional backgrounds.

“Our country needs unity. At present, we are not united. We are divided along ethnic and religious lines, yet, to the best of my knowledge, no tribe buys bread at a lower price, and no tribe buys fuel at a lower price,” he said.

Obi said Nigeria needed a president capable of uniting the country while prioritising the security and welfare of citizens.

He also called for improved logistics, equipment and welfare for security personnel and their families to enable the agencies to perform effectively.

“We have security agencies, and they must function effectively. We must provide them with the logistics they need to perform their duties and ensure that we stand by them,” he said.

“We need a president who will lead from the front,” Obi added.

On the 2027 elections, Obi urged voters to remain at their polling units after casting their ballots until votes were counted, stressing the need to protect the electoral process.

“We must stay and insist that votes must count,” he said.

He said his political organisation was expanding its network of polling agents nationwide and would work with other parties and stakeholders to support credible elections.

Obi also warned voters against allowing money or intimidation to influence their choices, arguing that resources used for vote-buying could instead fund security, healthcare and education.

“If you accept money from them, that is money they would otherwise have spent on security, hospitals and education,” he said.

The town hall formed part of the NDC’s mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 election, with Obi urging supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and ensure adequate polling-agent coverage nationwide.

Obi emerged as the NDC’s presidential candidate at the party’s special convention in Abuja in May.