2027: LP presidential candidate, Okereke, unveils vision as party rectifies his nomination

Chibuzo Okereke, 2027 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, has unveiled “Nigerians First! Believe Again” vision aimed at repositioning the country through people-centred governance, institutional reforms, and economic revitalisation.

He stated this while accepting his nomination as the Labour Party presidential candidate for the 2027 general election at the National Executive Council meeting of the party held at the its National Secretariat in Abuja.

Okereke pledged to provide visionary leadership capable of restoring citizens’ confidence in government and national institutions.

He expressed gratitude to the party leadership, members, and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him. He described the party’s National Leader, and governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, as a model of people-focused leadership whose governance style could be replicated at the national level for sustainable development.

Okereke also acknowledged the contributions of National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, members of the National Working Committee, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Labour Party supporters across Nigeria and the diaspora.

According to Okereke, the Labour Party remains the political platform of workers, ordinary citizens, professionals, artisans, farmers, women, youths, and persons with disabilities, attributing the party as Nigeria’s “party of first choice” and the true vehicle for democratic socialism and social justice.

Read also: 2027: Okereke emerges LP presidential candidate

“Our belief is simple: when Nigerians prosper, Nigeria prospers,” he said, arguing that the country’s greatest asset is its people rather than its natural resources.

The LP presidential flag bearer insisted that Nigeria faces a crisis of confidence, with many citizens losing faith in government institutions, meritocracy, and the possibility of a better future. He said the “Believe Again” mantra was designed to inspire national renewal and restore trust through responsible leadership and measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.

He outlined a comprehensive national recovery blueprint built around five strategic pillars: national security and unity; economic stabilisation, food security and productive growth; education and healthcare; institutional reforms and good governance; and national unity and social cohesion.

On security, he promised a whole-of-society approach to combating insecurity while rebuilding and modernising the military and security architecture.

In the economic sector, he pledged to address structural barriers to investment and enterprise growth, including power shortages, infrastructure deficits, policy inconsistency, and regulatory bottlenecks. He also proposed the decentralisation of the national power grid and increased collaboration with states to harness regional economic strengths.

He also identified education and healthcare as critical drivers of national development, promising investments in foundational education, technical skills, digital literacy, research, and healthcare access to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy.

Okereke proposed sweeping institutional reforms, including the introduction of zero-based budgeting, stronger anti-corruption accountability mechanisms, digitisation of public services, and merit-based recruitment across government agencies.

He proposed to review the operations of key federal agencies, transfer greater responsibilities for basic education and primary healthcare to local governments, and make participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) optional for most graduates, except those in selected disciplines.

On national unity, he advocated stronger programmes for reconciliation and social cohesion, including the establishment of a National Day of Peace and Forgiveness to foster healing and strengthen inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony.

Addressing various segments of society, including security personnel, youths affected by migration pressures, farmers, pensioners, women, academics, entrepreneurs, and voters, Okereke repeatedly urged Nigerians to “Believe Again” in the nation’s future and the possibilities of transformative leadership.

He assured Nigerians that a Labour Party administration would place governance above politics, service above power, and national development above partisan interests.

The ratification of Okereke as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate marked a significant step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election, with the candidate positioning his campaign around a promise to restore public trust and place citizens at the centre of governance.