An Ekiti born presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party, Victor Femi Ekunyan, has formally declared his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, unveiling a sweeping seven-point agenda focused on job creation, free education, and accessible healthcare for Nigerians.
Ekunyan, who hails from Ise-Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, made the declaration in Ado Ekiti during a press conference attended by party leaders and stakeholders across local governments. He said his mission is to rescue, restore, and reposition Nigeria for greatness, describing his ambition as both a national duty and a divine mandate.
He urged Nigerians to look beyond internal party differences, insisting that unity remains key to national progress. According to him, his candidacy is not just about politics but about building consensus and bringing together divided interests for the collective good of the country.
On healthcare, Ekunyan announced plans to double the number of medical professionals nationwide, introduce free healthcare services, and deploy a centralized medical database to enhance efficiency and accountability in treatment. He explained that the expansion of hospitals, clinics, and medical infrastructure would not only improve access but also generate millions of jobs.
He acknowledged that free healthcare would require significant funding but maintained that Nigeria has the resources if properly managed. He pledged to invest in modern medical equipment, upgrade existing facilities, and ensure that no Nigerian is denied treatment due to financial constraints.
In the education sector, the aspirant promised free and compulsory education at all levels, describing it as a fundamental right of every Nigerian child. He outlined plans to build new schools, expand existing ones, recruit more teachers, and improve their welfare to meet the expected increase in enrollment.
Ekunyan also emphasized the integration of technology into education, promising investment in computers and digital learning systems. He added that institutions would be empowered to operate efficiently, ensuring quality education that meets global standards.
Addressing infrastructure, he admitted that Nigeria is lagging behind but pledged to establish a comprehensive national network linking all regions through improved roads, rail, and digital connectivity. He assured that electricity challenges would be tackled decisively, blaming current inefficiencies on human mismanagement rather than lack of capacity.
On the economy, he said his administration would prioritize local production, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base. He stressed that supporting local manufacturers would create jobs and stabilize the economy.
Speaking on security and governance, Ekunyan promised to invest heavily in security agencies, establish a defense complex for local production of equipment, and train about three million personnel.
He vowed to fight corruption by reviewing public spending and state allocations, reform the judicial system, and ensure accountability, projecting that his policies would create about 30 million jobs with a proposed minimum wage of ₦150,000 while assuring Nigerians that opportunities would be
available for all.
In his remark; the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), South West public relations officer, Chief Santa Atofariti, described the moment as a significant turning point, noting that it proves that people of integrity and value still remain within the People’s Democratic Party.
He welcomed the development and expressed renewed confidence that the party is regaining its strength, admitting that many members had at some point lost hope, but the growing support from the electorate shows that the PDP is gradually bouncing back despite past challenges.
Atofariti however, criticized the current government for failing to deliver on key issues such as security and infrastructure, while focusing mainly on winning elections. He described this as a serious challenge and stressed that the declaration by the aspirant signals a new direction, adding that PDP stakeholders are now coming together in the overall interest of Nigerians, particularly as a voice for the South-West region.
