2027 Presidency: Esther Okereke Outlines Agenda On Electricity, Security, Economy

The presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Esther Okereke, has outlined plans to tackle Nigeria’s electricity crisis, insecurity, corruption and economic challenges if elected president in 2027.

Okereke, a Nollywood actress and humanitarian, said her political ambition was driven by years of working with vulnerable Nigerians, including widows, orphans and people living with disabilities.

Defending her political credentials, she rejected the perception of being merely a celebrity candidate, saying her grassroots experience had given her firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.

“I’m not just an actress. I am a humanitarian in politics, I would say that. I run foundations that cater to the widows, orphans, and those living with disabilities. I have single-handedly run my foundations without any support from anywhere,” she said.

She described herself as a grassroots candidate and said her proposed policies were captured under the six-pillar ESTHER Agenda, which she described as a “people’s manifesto.”

The agenda covers economic development, energy, education, security, social and sustainable development, technology transformation, transparency, housing and health.

On electricity, Okereke said her administration would prioritise ending the power crisis by deploying renewable energy and decentralised power generation.

She proposed a target of 25,000 megawatts within her first 100 days in office, arguing that improved electricity would also help expose and address other problems, including insecurity.

“First is to take out the darkness in the system, because when you take out the darkness, you can see. Then you secure the system with security. Fix electricity by taking out the darkness so you can see the security issues and tackle them. In 100 days, we should achieve 25,000 megawatts. It is very possible,” she said.

She identified corruption and personal interests as major barriers to fixing the power sector and said officials who failed to deliver on agreed targets should be replaced.

On Nigeria’s debt burden and revenue problems, the NRM candidate proposed eliminating what she described as redundant parastatals, agencies and ministries.

She said funds recovered from such restructuring and the recovery of public resources would be reinvested in the economy.

“First of all, we will cut off lots of parastatals that are redundant—fake parastatals, fake agencies, fake ministries, lots of these ghost organizations. Cut them off, and then we go for recovery,” she said.

According to her, the recovery of public funds would form part of the “R” component of her ESTHER Agenda.

Okereke also proposed increased funding for security agencies and community policing as part of her strategy for tackling insecurity.

She argued that residents who understand the terrain of their communities would be better positioned to assist in protecting them if properly trained and equipped.

“Fund our security. Community policing is very important. Let those that know the terrain protect their forest, let them protect their community,” she said.

She added that the training and deployment of community police could be achieved within six months with the necessary expertise and support.

Okereke described corruption as a major obstacle to solving Nigeria’s security and economic problems and pledged to make its elimination a priority.

“Corruption within the system, and that is one thing we do not take for granted in NRM. It’s our watchword. Corruption kills everything; corruption ruins everything in a system. So that corruption will be tackled first, because that is the main problem we have,” she said.

She also called for greater investment in human capital, expressing concern over the departure of skilled professionals and workers from the country.

According to her, better opportunities and investment in Nigerians would help reverse the loss of skilled manpower.

Okereke said she expected her strongest backing to come from grassroots communities, where she believes her experience has given her a clear understanding of the problems Nigerians face.

“We have people that have the interest and the love of the grassroots, the love for people. Now, this is me coming from this angle of the grassroots, because I feel what they feel, I see what they see. At least I would know where to start from. Basic amenities are not a luxury, these are basic rights of the citizens,” she said.

She also defended her lack of conventional government experience, pointing to her involvement in hospitality, real estate, investments, construction and agriculture.

“I have run a series of businesses from different sectors, and that is how Nigeria is. We have the power sector, we have the finance sector, we have the housing sector, we have the agricultural sector, which I have invested in, run, and managed,” she said.

Okereke maintained that effective leadership ultimately depends on the ability to make difficult decisions in the interest of citizens.

“All you need is the willpower,” she insisted.