The Nigerian Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi, has told fellow presidential candidate Seyi Makinde and others to focus their campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections on the challenges of insecurity, poverty, hunger, and others.

MyNigeria reported that Obi attended the commissioning of the presidential campaign office of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) on Monday. The event was attended by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Makinde, the current Governor of Oyo State.

Obi used the opportunity to emphasise the need to build a New Nigeria anchored on unity, love, justice, mutual respect, and inclusion, particularly at a time when political contests can become unnecessarily contentious and divisive.

"We must insist that our shared love for our country should always be greater than our political differences. This is my call to all contestants in the forthcoming elections.

"Let our contest be about ideas and solutions that will address the enormous challenges facing our country today: insecurity, poverty, hunger, inequality, and the growing number of out-of-school children.

"Let us compete on ideas that will unite our people, improve their lives, and restore hope to our nation, while maintaining respect, decency, and love for one another.

"I congratulate my dear brothers, Governor Seyi Makinde and Governor Bala Mohammed, as well as all the leaders and members of the APM, on this important milestone," he said in a statement.

ASA