The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has pledged to intensify the fight against corruption and revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company if elected president.
Obi made the commitment on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a town hall meeting and interactive session with residents of Kogi State in Lokoja, where he identified leadership failure, corruption and the mismanagement of public resources as major obstacles to Nigeria’s development.
The former governor of Anambra State argued that the country’s persistent governance challenges could not be adequately addressed without leadership characterised by integrity, discipline and competence.
He maintained that the failure to effectively tackle corruption had undermined public institutions, weakened economic development and deprived millions of Nigerians of resources needed to improve their living conditions.
Obi Promises Prosecution of Corruption Offenders
Addressing concerns about corruption and accountability, Obi criticised what he described as a situation in which individuals implicated in high-profile corruption cases continue to enjoy wealth and influence while many Nigerians struggle to afford basic necessities.
He argued that the effective prosecution of corruption cases was essential to restoring public confidence in government and ensuring that public resources were used for their intended purposes.
“My government will prosecute and send those that have stolen our money to prison,” Obi declared.
He also advocated stricter standards for political participation, stating that candidates seeking elective office should possess verifiable educational qualifications.
“You will not be allowed to contest elections if you have not attended any school and obtained a verifiable certificate,” he said.
Obi further argued that the scale of alleged public-resource theft in Nigeria remained incompatible with the country’s aspirations for sustainable economic growth and improved living standards.
His remarks placed accountability and the management of public funds at the centre of his stated governance priorities.
Ajaokuta Steel Revival Takes Centre Stage
The revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company featured prominently during the engagement, particularly in response to concerns raised by Baba Abdulrazak, a former President-General of the Ebira Youth Congress (EYC).
Abdulrazak reportedly expressed concern over the prolonged failure to bring the steel complex into full operation, noting its significance to the people of Kogi Central.
Responding, Obi assured the community that his administration would prioritise the project, arguing that the continued inability to operationalise Ajaokuta represented a missed opportunity for Nigeria’s industrial development.
“I assure you, our government will fix the steel company, because we must move from consumption to production, and Ajaokuta Steel Company is a target for us. Go and tell your people,” he said.
The pledge places Ajaokuta within the broader debate over Nigeria’s industrialisation strategy, domestic manufacturing capacity and dependence on imported products.
A functional steel industry could support manufacturing, infrastructure development and related industries, while creating opportunities for employment and skills development. However, delivering on such an ambition would require a credible implementation plan, substantial investment, effective management and a sustainable operating framework.
For Kogi State, the project also carries significant economic and social importance because of its potential implications for employment, local businesses and industrial activity.
Leadership and the Production Economy
Beyond corruption and Ajaokuta, Obi’s remarks reflected his stated position that Nigeria must move away from an economy overly dependent on consumption towards one that produces more goods and creates sustainable economic opportunities.
His emphasis on leadership accountability suggests that the proposed industrial agenda would depend, in part, on improving the management of public institutions and ensuring that government commitments translate into measurable outcomes.
The challenge for any incoming administration would be to establish clear priorities, identify sustainable sources of funding and implement policies capable of addressing longstanding structural barriers to industrial development.
For Ajaokuta, this would include resolving outstanding operational and investment challenges and establishing a practical path towards sustained production.
A Pledge Awaiting Implementation
Obi’s promises in Lokoja place two major issues—corruption and the revival of Ajaokuta Steel—at the forefront of his engagement with the people of Kogi State.
While the commitments outline his stated intentions should he win the presidency, their eventual impact would depend on the policies, institutional reforms and implementation measures adopted by his administration.
For residents of Kogi State, the future of Ajaokuta remains closely connected to wider questions about industrial development, employment and the effective use of Nigeria’s economic assets.
The Lokoja engagement therefore provided an opportunity for residents to raise concerns about the state’s development priorities and hear the candidate’s response as political discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections continue.
This report is based on the account of Peter Obi’s remarks at the Lokoja town hall meeting supplied for this article. The statements and commitments attributed to him have not been independently verified.
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