The 2027 presidential election cycle officially gained a new contender on Wednesday as Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, popularly known as Fadojoe, declared his intention to run for the highest office in the land.
Making the declaration at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, the former Labour Party (LP) chieftain pledged to lead a “rescue mission” for the country under the banner of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Addressing a gathering of journalists and supporters, Fadojoe, who currently serves as the CEO of F Planet Group USA, described his entry into the race as a generational duty, drawing a sharp contrast between the nation’s founding vision and its current realities.
“I stand before you today with humility, courage, and love for our great country to formally declare my intention to run for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. After deep reflection and thorough consultation, I have resolved to join the race for Aso Rock because our country is bleeding, and our nation must be rescued at this critical time in its history”, he began.
In a speech that was both personal and political, the aspirant detailed his life story, from being orphaned at the age of fourteen in Ipetu-Ijesha, Osun State, to building a career as a sociologist, a licensed nurse in New York, and a successful businessman.
“Today, the orphan child stands before you with unwavering determination and commitment, ready and resolute to lead the most populous Black nation on earth,” he told the audience.
Fadojoe, who said he joined the Labour Party in 2022 and stepped down in the interest of unity to help build the platform that produced Mr. Peter Obi, argued that the 2027 election would be a decisive clash. “The 2027 election will be the people versus the political class. And the people’s coalition shall prevail”, he declared.
He was highly critical of the current state of the nation, lamenting what he described as the normalisation of corruption and a leadership deficit that has left the country lagging behind the rest of the world.
“While the rest of the world is discussing artificial intelligence and technological breakthroughs, we are still campaigning with rice, noodles, onions, and N2,000 handouts on election day. What a tragedy!. We live in a nation that resembles a jungle—where survival of the fittest has replaced shared prosperity”, he said.
The NRM candidate, whose party symbol is the honeybee, promised a government based on “People First. Nation First.” His outlined priorities included restoring economic stability to strengthen the naira, revitalizing local refining capacity, and a massive investment in education to ensure lecturers’ salaries are never delayed.
He vowed to end the practice of public officials seeking healthcare abroad. “We are rebuilding and equipping our hospitals to world-class standards. No government official—including myself—will seek medical treatment abroad at public expense,” Fadojoe stated.
He also called for the decentralization of electricity supply, the strengthening of security forces, and a shift towards local manufacturing, including the use of locally produced vehicles for official purposes.
Citing Martin Luther King Jr., the aspirant said leadership must be measured by responsibility in times of crisis. “It is time for a shift from recycled leadership to visionary leadership. It is time for courage over convenience. This is why I offer myself for service”, he said.
Concluding his address, Fadojoe invoked the campaign’s slogan, “A Nation That Has Everything, Yet Lacks Everything,” and called on Nigerians at home and abroad to join the “rescue mission” to build a new republic.
“Join me in this rescue mission. Let us combine the best of Nigerians at home and abroad to build a new Republic—one we can keep,” he said. “Yes, we can. And yes, we will.”
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