Peter Obi said peace, security and inclusion would underpin Plateau State’s tourism revival, tying the proposal to his wider development pitch ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate made the remarks at a town hall in Jos on Tuesday, BusinessDay reported. Residents raised concerns about worsening violence, election fairness, job prospects for young people, small-business credit and services for people with disabilities.
Obi separately pledged to confront insecurity and help residents in displacement camps resettle safely. He said he and his proposed running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would pursue national unity, invest in health care and education, and work to lift Nigerians out of poverty. Obi also reaffirmed his commitment to people with disabilities.
He recalled that Jos and the wider state had once drawn visitors from Nigeria and abroad. Oyo State Gov. Seyi Makinde has also linked security in Plateau to tourism and youth employment in an earlier campaign pitch.
Tourism contributed 3.7% of Nigeria’s gross domestic product in 2023, according to World Travel & Tourism Council data. Finchglow Travels Managing Director Ezekiel Ikotun told BusinessDay that insecurity discourages visitors and travel agents struggle to obtain dollars, constraints covered in earlier reporting on Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Obi also visited a section of Terminus Market damaged by fire months earlier, where he spoke with traders and shoppers about rebuilding amid economic strain, BusinessDay reported. He blamed hardship on the current administration’s policies and said his proposed administration would work to ease it.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly elections for Jan. 16, 2027.
