Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has said he would explore negotiations with bandits and other armed groups that are willing to abandon violence, while taking stern measures against criminal elements that refuse peaceful engagement if elected president.
Obi made this disclosure in an interview on BlackBox with a presenter, Rufai Oseni, where he enumerated what he termed a balanced approach to solving Nigeria’s security concerns and promoting national cohesion if he become president in 2027.
The former governor of Anambra State argued that sustainable peace in the country would require a combination of discussion, reconciliation and tough security measures.
Those people and groups that are willing to renounce crime and embrace peace should be given the chance to re-integrate into society through constructive involvement, he said.
“I will talk to him, I will negotiate with him, anybody who wants peace, in bringing the country together. “We will go to war with anybody that wants war,” Obi stated.
The NDC flagbearer said that sustained security cannot be attained through military action alone, adding that nation-building requires creating pathways for reconciliation and addressing the core causes of violence.
His recommended approach would strive to combine national security imperatives with measures to restore confidence and stability in communities devastated by violence, he said.
Obi’s statement comes as talks continue on the best ways to tackle banditry, insurgency, kidnapping and other types of insecurity in various parts of Nigeria.
Successive administrations have resorted to a combination of military operations, peace initiatives and community engagement programmes in efforts to prevent violence and restore normalcy in impacted districts.
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The presidential aspirant said his primary goal would be to unify Nigerians under a shared vision of peace, development and national success.
Security is still one of the key themes likely to dominate the political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, as candidates increasingly articulate their plans for handling chronic threats from banditry, terrorism and other criminal activity.
Obi said his administration would be ready to conversation with parties genuinely devoted to peace if elected, but warned that those who continue to undermine the country’s stability will face the full weight of the law.
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