RismadarVoice Reporters
May 29, 2026
Notable Nollywood actress and film producer, Esther Okereke, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Okereke secured the party’s ticket on Friday after defeating former Labour Party presidential aspirant, Joseph Faduri, and UK-based businessman, Ademola Onigbokun, at the party’s presidential primary held in Abuja.
Her emergence places her among a small number of women who have secured presidential tickets in Nigeria’s democratic history, as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 election cycle.
Presenting the flag bearer to delegates, the National Chairman of the NRM, Chinedu Obi, said the party remained committed to providing leadership capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
He said the party’s mission was driven by what he described as the need for “national rescue” amid worsening insecurity and economic hardship.
“We remember our fellow citizens presently held captive in kidnappers’ dens, uncertain of what tomorrow may bring. We remember families displaced by terrorism, banditry, insurgency and communal conflicts, many of whom remain in Internally Displaced Persons camps across our country,” Obi said.
He added that the party’s presidential primary was not merely a political exercise but part of efforts to reposition the country ahead of 2027.
In her acceptance speech, Okereke described her nomination as a “sacred assignment” and a call to national service, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future despite current challenges.
“I accept this nomination not for personal glory but as a sacred assignment. I accept it as a call to service because of my belief that Nigeria shall rise and work again,” she said.
She highlighted challenges facing the country, including poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and economic hardship.
“Our nation is bleeding. Millions of our people are trapped in pain, poverty, fear and uncertainty,” Okereke said.
She added that many Nigerians continue to struggle with basic needs despite the country’s vast resources, citing unemployment and business closures as major concerns.
Okereke, however, maintained that Nigeria’s challenges could be overcome through effective leadership and reforms, insisting that “beyond the suffering, there is restoration, hope and a greater Nigerian future waiting to emerge.”
Her emergence adds to the growing list of presidential aspirants ahead of what is expected to be a competitive 2027 general election.
