Labour Party’s Okereke Unveils "Nigerians First! Believe Again!" Agenda, Vows Governance Reforms
Labour Party’s 2027 presidential candidate Dr. Chibuzo Okereke unveiled his 'Nigerians First! Believe Again!' agenda after accepting the party’s nomination, pledging to put citizens’ welfare ahead of politics. He said his vision marks a philosophical shift from preserving power to developing Nigerians, promising to rebuild security forces, decentralise the power sector, and invest in regional strengths—manufacturing in the southeast, blue‑economy in the south‑south, agriculture in the north, and finance in the southwest.
Okereke pledged to prioritize education, healthcare and youth development, promising foundational education reforms, technical skills training, and curriculum aligned with a global economy. On governance, he proposed zero‑based budgeting, stronger fiscal and procurement laws, digitisation of public services, and the creation of Nigeria Government Accountability Offices in every MDA staffed by ICPC and EFCC officers. He also wants to repeal the Acts establishing UBEC, NPHCDA and REA, shifting their duties and funding to local governments, and make the National Youth Service Corps optional for most graduates—replaced by a three‑month National Community Development Project, which he says would save billions of naira.
He promised merit‑based recruitment into the civil service, with vacancies publicly advertised, and a National Day of Peace and Forgiveness to foster national unity. Okereke warned that millions of Nigerians have lost faith in government’s ability to deliver a better future, and said his 'Believe Again' call is a demand for responsible action.
Which of Okereke’s proposed reforms—decentralised power, optional NYSC, or zero‑based budgeting—would most improve your daily life, and why?