The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to join him in what he described as a mission to rescue the country from bad governance.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the appeal on Saturday in Uyo at the OBIDIENT Conference and his official declaration for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), themed “Activating the PO Effect in ADC.”

He said the “Operation Rescue Nigeria” project was not about his personal ambition but about safeguarding the collective future of younger generations who would bear the consequences of decades of poor leadership.

Obi urged Nigerians to set aside differences and unite ahead of the 2027 presidential election, stressing the need for credible electoral processes.

“Nigeria must get it right in 2027.

Election results must be transmitted online in real time, and whoever fails to transmit results will be held liable. Democracy must work. I appeal to you to join hands with me to rescue this country,” he said.

He explained that he left the Labour Party after being informed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not recognise the party’s leadership if he remained and alleged that the Federal Government did not want him on the ballot.

“I left the Labour Party when I got informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC will not recognise its leadership, that the Federal Government doesn’t want me on the ballot. But I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election even if it is held in their bedroom, and if they don’t want to transmit the results, we will transmit them for them,” he said.

Obi also alleged that the current administration had accumulated more loans than previous governments, warning that repayment obligations projected between 2045 and 2050 would burden younger Nigerians.

He assured supporters that, if elected, his administration would prioritise significant investment in education and healthcare, noting that many developed nations advanced through deliberate human capital development. He added that lifting people out of poverty would be central to reducing criminality.

The former governor pledged to tour the country, including tertiary institutions, to better understand citizens’ challenges. He emphasised that supporters of his ambition must prioritise national interest and the welfare of the people.

On anti-corruption, Obi vowed to take a firm stance, arguing that corruption would be drastically reduced if leaders and their families stayed clear of public resources.

“When I became governor of Anambra State, I advised my wife to forget the office of First Lady, against advice, because we were not elected together. I approved over 100 Certificates of Occupancy of government lands, but have none for myself or my family. If you find any, petition me to the appropriate authority,” he stated.