Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged all candidates seeking the presidency in 2027 to defend their records and subject their plans for Nigeria to open public scrutiny.

Obi made the call on Friday at a press conference marking the commencement of his campaign for the 2027 presidential election.

The former Anambra State governor said presidential candidates must have the courage to engage Nigerians directly rather than rely 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.

He said candidates seeking to lead the country should not hide behind the structures of power while expecting Nigerians to entrust them with the responsibility of governing the country.

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

Obi argued that effective leadership requires leaders to be physically present and empathetic, particularly in communities affected by insecurity, criminality, terrorism, banditry and natural disasters.

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

He said leaders could not claim to be at the forefront of governance without standing with Nigerians affected by insecurity and other crises.

Obi also announced that he and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso would take their campaign directly to Nigerians, promising to listen to citizens, understand their concerns and engage them without delegating the process to representatives.

“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 added that he and Kwankwaso would answer Nigerians’ questions, defend their records and character, and present their plans for rebuilding the country.

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

He said his campaign would focus on “resetting Nigeria by uniting it, securing it, on the path of economic and inclusive growth, and moving our country from consumption to production.”