Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged residents of Rivers State to participate massively in the Rivers 2027 election.
Obi also called on voters to ensure their ballots are counted and their electoral mandate respected.
He made the call in a statement posted on X on Friday, following his participation in a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The former governor said the engagement provided an opportunity to discuss some of the challenges confronting Nigerians.
He listed employment, healthcare, education, security and economic opportunities among the issues discussed.
Obi said that if given the opportunity to lead Nigeria, his administration would prioritise education, healthcare and poverty reduction.
According to him, these areas would serve as key drivers of national development.
He cited developments in Bangladesh, Indonesia and India as examples of how purposeful leadership could transform economies and improve living conditions.
Obi referenced Bangladesh’s progress in rice production, Indonesia’s expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises and India’s efforts to reduce poverty.
He said these examples demonstrated what focused leadership could achieve.
“My greatest elation today came from the renewed commitment I saw among the good people of Rivers State to participate massively in the 2027 elections and, more importantly, to ensure that their votes are counted and the people’s mandate is respected,” Obi said.
Obi urged residents to use the Rivers 2027 election as an opportunity to demand a credible electoral process.
He argued that elected officials could only claim legitimate mandates when they emerged through free and fair elections.
“Let it be recorded that this time around, the people of Rivers State will vote, and their votes MUST count,” he declared.
The former governor further described Rivers as capable of setting an example for credible elections in 2027.
“Rivers State can and should set the pace for excellent, free, fair, and credible elections in 2027,” he said.
He maintained that leaders produced through transparent elections should be the ones recognised as legitimately elected public officials.
According to Obi, the NDC town hall focused on practical solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges.
He said the engagement also sought to strengthen citizens’ participation in governance.
Obi thanked the NDC leadership and its Rivers State governorship candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, for taking part in the event.
He also acknowledged Vice-Presidential Candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, party officials and supporters who participated in the engagement.
The former governor said the opposition movement’s broader objective remained to “rescue Nigeria, rebuild our institutions, and restore hope to our people.”
He urged Rivers residents to remain actively involved in the electoral process as the country approaches the 2027 general election.
