The National Rescue Movement has endorsed Dr. Esther Nkem Okereke as its consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
The endorsement was announced during the party’s presidential primary election held in Abuja, where the NRM leadership formally declared Dr. Okereke the winner of the exercise and presented her with the certificate of return.
The party’s National Chairman, Prince Chinedu Obi Ohamadike, described her as a unifying figure with the capacity to steer Nigeria out of its current socio-economic and security challenges.
Ohamadike said the party was confident in Dr. Okereke’s ability to address issues such as insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and economic decline. He noted that the leadership had officially ratified her emergence as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election.
“This certificate of return is issued in recognition of your victory at the party primaries in accordance with the constitution, guidelines, electoral regulations of the National Rescue Movement, and the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act,” he said.
“On behalf of the National Executive Committee and members of the National Rescue Movement worldwide, we proudly hand over this flag of victory to our presidential candidate, Dr. Esther Nkem Okereke.”
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Okereke described her nomination as a responsibility to serve the nation rather than an avenue for personal advancement. She expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future and pledged to work towards national renewal.
“I accept this nomination not for personal gain but as a call to service. I believe with every breath in me that Nigeria shall rise again,” she declared.
The NRM presidential candidate decried the increasing hardship facing Nigerians, saying that despite the country’s abundant resources, many citizens continue to grapple with poverty, insecurity, joblessness, and uncertainty about the future.
“Nigeria today is battling systemic failure, corruption, selfishness, and lack of vision. For too long, politics has been reduced to a struggle for power instead of a pursuit of progress,” she said.
Dr. Okereke outlined her vision for a country where stable electricity supply supports economic growth, businesses flourish, children have access to adequate nutrition, and citizens enjoy dignity and hope.
She further stated that the NRM stands for more than electoral victory, describing the party as “a national rescue mission” committed to restoring integrity, patriotism, accountability, and purposeful leadership in governance.
As part of her policy direction, she unveiled the “ESTA Agenda,” which focuses on key sectors including education, energy, security, technology, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and economic transformation.
She pledged to implement emergency reforms in the education and power sectors, increase investments in digital learning, innovation, renewable energy, and technical skills development, while also strengthening the country’s security architecture and intelligence-gathering systems.
Dr. Okereke expressed confidence that Nigeria possesses the capacity to overcome its current difficulties and regain its position among the world’s leading nations.
