….says millions of Nigerians under grip of terrorism, banditry

….we’ll focus on tightening border security

….to establish N2trn Health Devt Fund

….Nat’l Land Preparation & Agribusiness Support Agency

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – A presidential aspirant under the National Rescue Movement, NRM, Onyemaechi Francis Nnana, formally declared to run for president during the 2027 general elections.

Onyema (a.k.a Francis Onyema) made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja before journalists, family members and supporters, where he lamented the state of insecurity, how Nigerians currently live under the grip of fear of terrorism and banditry on daily basis under the Tinubu-led administration.

He said if elected president, he will ensure border security is tightened with strategic security measures that would make it difficult for criminals and killers to penetrate the country as it is being done now.

The Delta State born politician said he is out to cause a paradigm shift in the political system of Nigeria with a reformist agenda and ensuring equal right and justice for all Nigerians, which is driven by merit and not based on religious, regional, political or “it is my turn” basis.

He said: “Permit me to address you today, as I formally declare my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the 2027 general elections, under the platform of the National Rescue Movement.

“Today is historic in the annals of our democracy, not simply because a young man stands before you, to declare his intention to run for President in 2027, but because it represents a firm stand to redefine how leadership emerges in our country.

“For many years, Nigeria has struggled with insecurity, unemployment, and failing educational and healthcare systems. Yet in confronting these crises, we have too often avoided addressing the fundamental issue at their root, which is invariably leadership. It is this failure of leadership that has fueled the socioeconomic decay confronting our nation today.

“I understand that many of us struggle to afford basic meals, remain unemployed, and have limited access to world-class healthcare.

“Worst of all, millions now live in the grip of fear under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu due to widespread insecurity.

“It is precisely because of these realities that I stand before you today, not just to speak about Nigeria’s problems, but to commit myself to leading the effort to solve them.

“No economy can thrive without security. Any economic policy, no matter how well designed, will fail if our businesses and citizens are not secure.

“Our porous borders have weakened the state’s monopoly on the use of force and fueled a surge in violent crime. The Nigeria Police Force is often forced to confront criminals armed with sophisticated weapons.

“This dangerous trend must end. My administration will establish the National Border Towers and Security System (NABTOWSS), to oversee all border operations in close collaboration with our intelligence agencies. NABTOWSS will provide a robust and coordinated security architecture, ensuring our borders are monitored and protected.

“The purpose is clear: we must integrate a level of deterrence in our security strategy so advanced that no internal or external force will dare threaten Nigeria. NABTOWSS will not merely watch our borders; it will secure them, protect our people, and safeguard the environment in which our businesses and industries thrive.

“A secure Nigeria is the foundation of a productive economy. My administration will ensure that no effort to build a stronger, more competitive economy is undermined by insecurity.

“Building on this commitment, we will undertake comprehensive reforms of the police and the military in order to attract a new generation of patriotic Nigerians to the noble duty of securing lives and property across our nation.

“This reform will be guided by what I call the Inspire and Monitor Framework—a balanced approach that rewards dedication while ensuring accountability in the discharge of duty.”

Welfare policies for military

Speaking on activities within his 100 days in office if elected president of Nigeria, especially on military welfare policies, he said, “Within my first one hundred days in office, we will implement a new compensation structure that establishes a minimum salary of ₦500,000 for officers serving in the security services.

“In addition, the federal government will provide scholarships for the first two children of every serving officer and introduce other incentives designed to build a highly motivated, professional, and patriotic security force worthy of the trust of the Nigerian people.

“At the same time, discipline and accountability will remain central to our security architecture. To this end, we will establish a Security Timestamp and Database System to document arrests made by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

“This system will help address the persistent challenges of indiscriminate arrests, intimidation, and harassment of law-abiding citizens. The federal government will also work closely with state governments to check the excesses of officers serving within their jurisdictions.

“Where necessary, my administration will equip officers with body cameras to promote transparency and professional conduct in the course of their duties. The message is clear: while we will inspire and reward those who serve our nation with honour, we will also maintain vigilant oversight because unethical conduct within our security institutions is itself a threat to national security.

“Security alone is not enough. A nation can only prosper when its people are healthy and its workforce is strong. Healthy citizens spark the creativity and innovation that fuel economic growth and elevate the living standards of all Nigerians.”

Free basic education for all Nigerians

He promised to overhaul the educational system with policies that will give Nigerians a sense of belonging and hope for their future with equal access to qualitative education, adding that, “We will equally create initiatives and incentives to inspire excellence in our educational system, especially at the tertiary level.

“To this effect, upon my swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will announce a N3 million passing-out business start-up grant for corps members who graduated with a CGPA of 4.0 and above and have successfully completed their mandatory national service.

To establish N2trn Health Devt Fund

He also vowed to reposition and place the health sector on an enviable position compared to the rot in it.

“However, the Nigerian healthcare system has long suffered from a culture of “anyhowness,” resulting in ill-equipped institutions, insufficient medical equipment, and a critical shortage of trained professionals.

“My administration will overhaul and strengthen the medical auditing system to ensure that every hospital, clinic, and primary healthcare centre operates in strict compliance with measurable national health standards. Institutions that fail to meet these standards will be given access to interest-free loans to upgrade their facilities or face immediate closure until they comply.

“Furthermore, we will establish a N2 trillion Health Development Fund to rebuild our healthcare infrastructure, reduce dependence on medical tourism, and guarantee quality healthcare for every Nigerian.

“No Nigerian should be denied medical care because of inefficiency, neglect, or lack of resources. Under my administration, a healthy Nigeria will be the foundation for a prosperous, competitive, and productive nation.

“Building on this commitment, my administration will champion preventive healthcare by fully funding research and awarding generous incentives to innovators who develop vaccines, local medical equipment, and essential consumables. Those who advance solutions that save lives and reduce dependence on imports will be celebrated and supported at the national level.

“By nurturing homegrown solutions, we will protect lives, strengthen our healthcare system, and ensure that Nigeria leads in health innovation across Africa.”

Nat’l Land Preparation & Agribusiness Support Agency

Meanwhile, on his agricultural agenda on food production for Nigerians, he (Onyema) said his administration will establish the National Land Preparation & Agribusiness Support Agency (NLPASA).

“Guided by my philosophy of advanced land preparation and cluster farming, my administration will establish the National Land Preparation & Agribusiness Support Agency (NLPASA) under the Ministry of Agriculture, with a presence in every senatorial district of the federation. This agency will oversee modern land preparation methods and provide targeted support to farmers, enabling large-scale, high-yield agriculture.

“Support will extend to smallholder farmers, empowering those who form the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. At the same time, emphasis will be placed on advancing value-added agriculture, but the initial focus remains on producing sufficient raw materials to attract key players in the agricultural value chain to invest. Pursuing this objective will remain relentless under my administration.

“Every farmer will be met on their farmland to ensure assistance reaches those who truly farm, leaving no room for political beneficiaries or political farmers.

“By promoting advanced land preparation and organized cluster farming, my administration aims to draw energetic and resourceful individuals into agriculture while positioning the government as a committed partner to private investors in the sector.

“If elected President in 2027, the siphoning of loans and incentives by political cronies will be decisively ended. Agricultural support will reach those who farm, not those who merely hold influence, ensuring productivity and integrity in the sector.

“However, while pursuing economic renewal and national productivity, I am not oblivious to the varying calls for secession across the federation and the unrest they have generated, particularly in the South East, where economic activities and agricultural investments have been severely disrupted. I have always maintained that at the heart of every agitation lies the issue of uneven development or the absence of development altogether.”

Judiciary support

He said, “Even more troubling is the systematic erosion of Nigeria’s justice system. An effective justice system is foundational to a modern economy, providing the structural bedrock for market stability, investor confidence, contractual enforcement, and political cohesion.

“It becomes inimical to national growth when justice is freely bought and sold. This unacceptable situation must come to an end.

“My administration will support a National Judicial Council that is truly autonomous and insulated from political influence. The Council will be provided with the authority and institutional support required to enforce its regulations and code of conduct to the fullest.

“However, I must state clearly that the fundamental principle of equality before the law begins with me. The duty therefore rests on my office to ensure that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all extant laws are implemented faithfully and without prejudice. If we must build a Nigeria that works for everyone, equality before the law is non-negotiable.”

Appeal to Nigerians to heed the clarion call

“I must also seize this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians, especially the youth, to heed the clarion call to save our nation from a political class that has too often treated the state as a means of production and personal aggrandizement.

“There is an urgent need to place our national identity above narrow interests driven by ethnic and religious biases. The rewards of thinking and acting as united Nigerians far outweigh the divisions created by such parochial tendencies.

“This shift may not overturn the status quo overnight, but it can ignite the transformations our nation urgently requires.60 I must also seize this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians, especially the youth, to heed the clarion call to rescue our nation from a political class that has too often treated the state as a means of production and personal aggrandizement.

“The time has come for us to place our national identity above narrow interests fueled by ethnic and religious divisions. The future of Nigeria cannot be built on suspicion of one another. It must be built on shared purpose, common destiny, and the conviction that we rise or fall together as one people.

“The rewards of thinking and acting as united Nigerians far outweigh the divisions created by such parochial tendencies. This shift may not overturn the status quo overnight, but it can ignite the transformations our nation urgently requires.

“I therefore urge all Nigerians of goodwill to join me in the NRM as we lead a national reorientation to rescue our country from retrogressive leadership and to make Nigeria work for everyone. The task before us is great, but the promise of Nigeria is greater.”