Nollywood Star Esther Okereke Clinches NRM Presidential Ticket for 2027 Polls

Nollywood actress and film producer, Esther Okereke, has secured the presidential ticket of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) ahead of the 2027 general elections after emerging victorious at the party’s primary held in Abuja.
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‎Okereke defeated former Labour Party presidential aspirant, Joseph Faduri, and UK-based businessman, Ademola Onigbokun, to clinch the party’s flag, placing her among the growing list of contenders preparing to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next election cycle.
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‎Announcing her as the party’s candidate before delegates, the NRM National Chairman, Chinedu Obi, said the party’s decision was driven by its commitment to presenting leadership capable of addressing Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges.
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‎He lamented the country’s global economic reputation, noting that persistent poverty rankings and hardship indicators reflected deeper governance failures.
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‎Obi also referenced ongoing insecurity across the country, including kidnappings, terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts, stressing that many Nigerians remain displaced or held captive under harsh conditions.
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‎According to him, the party’s presidential primary was not just a routine political exercise, but part of what he described as a broader mission to “rescue Nigeria” and restore public confidence in governance.
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‎In her acceptance speech, Okereke described her emergence as a solemn responsibility rather than a personal victory, saying she accepted the nomination as a call to national service.
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‎She painted a grim picture of the country’s socio-economic situation, pointing to rising poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and widespread hardship affecting millions of citizens.
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‎“Our nation is bleeding,” she said, adding that many households struggle with basic survival needs despite the country’s vast natural resources.
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‎She also highlighted issues such as power shortages, joblessness among graduates, and the collapse of small businesses under economic pressure, describing them as signs of deeper systemic challenges.
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‎However, Okereke maintained that Nigeria still holds the potential for recovery, insisting that with purposeful leadership, the country can overcome its current difficulties and rebuild hope for the future.
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