2027: ‘Believe Again’- Labour Party Presidential Candidate Reveals Sweeping Plans for Nigeria

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Labour Party presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Dr. Chibuzo Okereke, has unveiled his “Nigerians First! Believe Again!” agenda, pledging to place citizens’ welfare at the centre of governance while pursuing reforms in security, public institutions and economic development if elected president.

Okereke presented the policy framework while accepting the party’s presidential nomination, describing it as “a fundamental philosophical shift” in governance that prioritises the development of citizens over the pursuit of political power.

“Our Nigerians First Vision offers a fundamental philosophical shift in our theory of nationhood and focuses on developing Nigerians, securing Nigerians, expanding socio-economic opportunities, restoring the dignity of our people, building trust among citizens and investing in the Sustainable Development Goals. We are convinced that when Nigerians prosper, Nigeria prospers,” he said.

He stressed that governance, rather than politics, would be the central focus of his administration.

“Our Presidency will put People and Governance First before Politics. We understand that politics is not the purpose of government, governance is the real purpose of government. Nigerian citizens will become partners in nation-building rather than spectators,” he added.

Okereke disclosed that his administration would implement a “Nigerians First Great Reset National Recovery Blueprint” built around key areas including national security and peacebuilding, economic recovery, food security and productivity, education, healthcare and human capital development, institutional reforms, good governance, national unity, social cohesion and civic discipline.

On security, he promised to strengthen the armed forces and adopt what he described as a whole-of-society strategy to restore peace across the country.

“Our goal is clear, restore public confidence that the Nigerian State is capable of protecting lives and property across every part of the federation. We will rebuild our military and restore the pride and glory of our land,” he said.

Addressing the economy, the Labour Party candidate pledged to decentralise the electricity sector, improve critical infrastructure and create a more investment-friendly business environment.

“The national power grid will be completely democratised and decentralised. We will sit with individual states and zones, not to discuss politics, but to implement strategic investments based on their areas of resource competence and competitive advantage we would intentionally invest in the financial and servuces sector in the south west, manufacturing innovation trade and investment in the south east, driving economic development of the blue economy costa, aquaculture and tourism in the south south, driving agriculture food production and food security in the north,” he stated.

He also promised to make education, healthcare and youth empowerment major priorities, insisting that Nigeria’s long-term growth depends on investing in its people.

“Our administration will prioritise foundational education, technical skills, digital literacy, research capacity and curriculum reforms aligned with modern economic realities. We must prepare Nigerian youths not merely to seek jobs, but to create value within a globally competitive economy,” Okereke said.

On governance reforms, he proposed introducing Zero-Based Budgeting, strengthening fiscal accountability and procurement laws, digitising government services and establishing Nigeria Government Accountability Offices across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to be staffed by officers from the ICPC and EFCC.

He also proposed repealing the laws establishing the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), while transferring their responsibilities and funding directly to local governments.

Okereke further announced plans to make the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) optional for most graduates, except those studying STEM-related courses and a few other disciplines.

“The NYSC Scheme will be made optional. All other graduates will undertake a three-month National Community Development Project and, upon completion, receive their NYSC discharge certificate. This will save Nigeria billions of naira,” he said.

The Labour Party standard-bearer also pledged to introduce merit-based recruitment into the public service by ensuring vacancies in MDAs are openly advertised to promote transparency and equal opportunity.

On national cohesion, he proposed the establishment of a National Day of Peace and Forgiveness aimed at fostering reconciliation and strengthening unity across ethnic, religious and regional lines.

Explaining the inspiration behind his campaign slogan, Okereke said Nigeria is battling not only economic and security challenges but also “a crisis of confidence.”

“The truth is that millions of Nigerians no longer believe in the promise of this land. Millions no longer believe that government can work, institutions can be trusted, merit can prevail, or that the future can be better than the past,” he said.

He added: “Our ‘Believe Again’ mantra is therefore not merely a campaign appeal; it is a stirring call for national renewal through responsible government actions.”

Okereke is a governance and public policy expert with a Ph.D. in Legislative Governance Studies from the Federal University Lokoja.

He also earned a master’s degree with distinction in Public Administration and Policy from Baze University, Abuja.

In addition, he holds another master’s degree with distinction in Legislative Governance Studies from the University of Benin.

He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, specialising in Audit and Investigation, from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he previously served as Students’ Union President, and is currently pursuing a second doctorate in Public Policy at Veritas University, Abuja.

Throughout his career, he has served in several legislative technical support roles at the National Assembly, with consultancy work for the Public Accounts Committee reportedly contributing to the recovery of more than ₦300 billion in government revenue from public agencies and private organisations.

He also founded organisations including the Erudite Growth and Advancement Foundation (ErGAF-AFRICA), Project Hope Alive Africa and the National Political Equity Movement (N-PEM).

Through the ErGAF-AFRICA Project Hope Alive Initiative, he has supported over 10,000 schoolchildren with educational materials and other forms of assistance.

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