The presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Dr Esther Nkem Okereke, has pledged to make the protection of lives and property a major priority of her administration if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Okereke, who emerged as the NRM’s presidential candidate at the party’s primary in Abuja, identified insecurity as one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria and said her administration would adopt a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem. The Nation
The candidate said her security agenda would include strengthening intelligence gathering, modernising law-enforcement institutions and improving the capacity of security agencies to respond effectively to threats across the country. Vanguard News
She also proposed increased funding for security agencies and greater emphasis on community policing, arguing that residents who understand the terrain and challenges of their communities could play an important role in protecting lives and property.
According to Okereke, properly trained and equipped community members could assist security agencies in monitoring forests and other difficult-to-access areas where criminal elements operate. Punch Newspapers
She further linked insecurity to broader socioeconomic challenges, particularly unemployment and inadequate infrastructure, arguing that addressing these issues would form part of a wider strategy for improving national security.
The NRM candidate’s proposals are contained in her ESTHER Agenda, which covers security alongside economic development, energy, education, technology, transparency, housing, healthcare and social development. Vanguard News
Okereke has also said that improving electricity supply would form part of her broader security strategy. She has proposed expanding renewable and decentralised power generation, alongside measures to address corruption and inefficiencies in the sector. Punch Newspapers
She said her administration would pursue a coordinated approach in which security agencies, communities and other relevant institutions work together to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
The NRM candidate’s security proposals come as insecurity remains a major issue in Nigeria’s political and public policy discussions ahead of the 2027 general election. Her campaign has presented security as one of the central areas requiring urgent attention under its proposed national development agenda. Vanguard News