2027: Dan Nwanyanwu Emerges ZLP Presidential Candidate, Vows to End Insecurity and Corruption

National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Barr. Dan Nwanyanwu, has emerged as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, pledging to unite Nigeria and tackle insecurity, corruption, poor power supply and unemployment.

Nwanyanwu was endorsed by delegates and stakeholders of the party at its presidential convention held in Abuja on Saturday.

In his acceptance speech, the veteran politician outlined an ambitious agenda focused on national unity, security, anti-corruption reforms, energy development, industrialisation and youth empowerment.

“Specifically and practically, my government will solve the problem of insecurity in Nigeria and make corruption a thing of the past,” he declared.

The ZLP flag bearer accused successive governments of tolerating corruption and criticized what he described as a culture in which politically exposed persons accused of corruption are welcomed into ruling parties and shielded from accountability.

“A situation in our country where political leaders encourage corrupt political and public office holders to join the ruling party in order to be forgiven their sins of corruption is not only unacceptable but also scandalous,” he said.

He promised that his administration would operate a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and strengthen existing anti-graft institutions through legislative reforms.

According to him, the laws establishing anti-corruption agencies would be reviewed to make them more proactive, effective and capable of preventing corruption before it occurs.

Nwanyanwu further pledged to conduct comprehensive audits of properties and bank deposits across the country to determine the legality of acquired wealth and identify illicit financial flows.

He argued that Nigeria loses enormous resources through leakages in public institutions, corporations, agencies and parastatals, adding that a thorough audit of government establishments since the return to democratic rule in 1999 could help recover substantial public funds.

The recovered resources, he said, would be invested transparently in healthcare, education, infrastructure and other critical sectors.

On electricity, Nwanyanwu described the energy sector as one of the most poorly managed areas of the Nigerian economy and vowed to implement sweeping reforms.

He promised to review the national grid system, encourage private sector participation in electricity generation and distribution, and expand investments in renewable energy.

The presidential candidate also pledged to explore Nigeria’s vast coal reserves in states such as Enugu and Kogi as part of a broader strategy to boost power generation and support industrial growth.

Addressing economic development, Nwanyanwu said his administration would prioritize industrialisation by improving the ease of doing business, removing bureaucratic bottlenecks that discourage investors, and providing infrastructure needed to support businesses.

He promised easier access to credit for young entrepreneurs through financial institutions and special intervention programmes aimed at supporting small and medium-scale enterprises.

“My government will encourage young entrepreneurs not to wait for opportunities but provide the enabling environment for them to create opportunities through innovation and productivity,” he said.

The ZLP candidate also advocated greater devolution of powers to states and local governments, particularly in the management of education and other social services, in line with the principles of federalism.

He pledged to pursue constitutional reforms, strengthen literacy programmes, improve transportation and healthcare services, and implement policies that protect the rights and welfare of citizens.

Nwanyanwu concluded by assuring Nigerians that the details of his manifesto would be made public in the coming days, expressing confidence that the country could overcome its challenges through accountable leadership, transparency and national unity.

His emergence formally positions the Zenith Labour Party in the race for the 2027 presidential election as political parties intensify preparations ahead of the next general polls.