In a bold ideological break from Nigeria’s traditional political language, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Dr. Chibuzo Okereke, has rejected the long-standing “Nigeria First” doctrine and unveiled what he calls a new governing philosophy built around a different proposition: “Nigerians First! Believe Again.”
Speaking shortly after accepting his nomination as the party’s presidential candidate, Okereke argued that decades of state-centred governance have failed to improve citizens’ lives and have instead contributed to growing hardship, distrust, and national disillusionment.
His message was simple but pointed: the state should exist to serve people—not the other way around.
“The purpose of the state is to serve its people. Nigeria exists because Nigerians exist. When Nigerians prosper, Nigeria prospers.”
With that declaration, Okereke positioned himself against a political tradition that has often framed governance around preserving the state, protecting power structures, and maintaining political stability, even when citizens feel excluded from progress.
According to him, successive administrations have spent decades focusing on how to preserve institutions, sustain elite interests, and maintain political control while paying too little attention to the welfare, dignity, and everyday realities of ordinary Nigerians.
The result, he argued, is not merely economic decline or insecurity—but a deeper erosion of public confidence.
“Nigeria is facing not only an economic crisis or a security crisis. We are facing a crisis of confidence.”
In what amounted to a broad critique of the political establishment, Okereke said governance in Nigeria has become overly centred on politics instead of people.
Under his proposed philosophy, government performance would no longer be judged primarily by GDP figures, political victories, or elite approval, but by measurable improvements in how citizens live.
“No Nigerian under our watch will live as though there is no government.”
His speech appeared carefully calibrated to connect with rising public frustration over inflation, insecurity, unemployment, migration pressures, and weakening trust in public institutions.
Rather than anchor his campaign around infrastructure promises or political coalitions, Okereke framed the 2027 election as a contest over national belief itself—whether Nigerians still believe government can work, institutions can deliver, and the future can improve.
Throughout the address, one phrase emerged as the centrepiece of his message:
“Believe Again.”
He directed the appeal to soldiers fighting insecurity, young Nigerians leaving under the “Japa” wave, struggling farmers, pensioners, women, entrepreneurs, academics, and citizens who have lost faith in elections.
To each group, the message remained unchanged:
“Believe Again.”
Political observers say the speech signals an attempt to reshape the national conversation—from debates over programmes and projects to a broader conversation about rebuilding trust between citizens and the state.
At a moment when many Nigerians increasingly feel disconnected from government and sceptical of political promises, Okereke appears to be betting that Nigeria’s biggest challenge is not simply policy failure—but the collapse of public belief.
Whether that message gains traction beyond Labour Party supporters remains uncertain.
But with the emergence of “Nigerians First” as a campaign doctrine, a new narrative has entered the 2027 political conversation—one that challenges not only who governs Nigeria, but the assumptions that have shaped governance for decades.
For a country wrestling with hardship, insecurity, and political fatigue, Okereke is offering more than a manifesto.
He is offering a different argument about what government is for.