The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has unveiled a six-point policy agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections, focusing on institutional reform, economic productivity, human capital development, security, infrastructure and technology.

National Chairman Chinedu Obi announced the agenda while inaugurating the Presidential Campaign Council for the party’s candidate, Dr Esther Nkem Okereke. The party also pledged “zero tolerance for corruption”.

Obi said Nigeria’s central challenge was not a lack of potential but the inability to build institutions, leadership systems and accountability mechanisms that turn national resources into measurable improvements in citizens’ lives. Declaring that “Nigeria can work again”, he said the party’s governing philosophy was anchored on “rule of law for peace, productivity and shared prosperity”.

He said corruption should be seen not merely as the theft of public funds but as an institutional distortion that raises the cost of governance, weakens public services and discourages investment. He proposed a shift from personality-driven governance to an institution-driven system in which ministries, departments and agencies operate with defined mandates, procurement standards, financial controls, performance indicators and audit mechanisms.

According to Obi, the six pillars of the “Esther Rescue Nigeria Agenda”, derived from the party’s 24-pillar blueprint, are an effective state, a productive economy, human capital development, security and justice, integrated infrastructure, and science, technology and innovation.

He said the economic plan would shift Nigeria from dependence on consumption and crude-resource revenues towards manufacturing, agriculture, technology, services and exports. Education and healthcare would be central to human capital development, while infrastructure would cover roads, railways, ports, electricity, water, telecommunications, housing and digital networks. The party would also invest in science, research, digital infrastructure and technical education, he added, treating young Nigerians as a strategic national asset.

Obi said an implementation framework would set clear responsibilities, timelines, measurable indicators, independent evaluation and public accountability.

He noted that women and young people were under-represented in key decision-making centres despite their numbers in the population and electorate. He said the choice of Okereke as presidential candidate and Arc Nasir Suleiman Muhammed as running mate reflected the party’s commitment to competence, integrity, inclusion and generational renewal.

He urged council members to campaign on ideas, policies and competence rather than insults and propaganda, and to conduct themselves with discipline and professionalism.

Okereke said politics in Nigeria had for too long been about sharing power, adding that an NRM government would be about sharing prosperity. She said the campaign would be about structure, evidence and peace.

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She said the party would rescue Nigeria from “darkness, hunger, insecurity, joblessness and hopelessness” on the principles of legality, constitutionalism, accountability, transparency, unity and the rule of law. (The Nation)