Insecurity: We Will Go To War If That’s What You Want – Peter Obi Declares

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said his administration would engage individuals and groups willing to embrace peace, but would deploy state force against those who choose violence.

Naija News reports that Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, stated this during an interview on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni, where he spoke on his approach to national unity, security and reconciliation.

“In uniting the country, anybody who wants peace, I will talk with him; I will negotiate with him. Anybody who wants war, we will go to war,” Obi said.

The NDC candidate did not directly mention bandits in his remarks, but his comments come amid a broader national debate over the place of dialogue, rehabilitation and military action in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Obi said the country must create room for dialogue with those who are ready to renounce wrongdoing and contribute meaningfully to national development.

According to him, nation-building requires a balance between justice, security, forgiveness and the willingness to reintegrate those who genuinely want to change.

He argued that societies make progress when they provide opportunities for redemption instead of permanently condemning people for past mistakes.

The former governor said any person willing to turn away from violence or criminality and become part of a productive society should be given a chance under a lawful and structured process.

‘We Must Tell Ourselves The Truth’

To illustrate his position, Obi recalled a visit to a university in the United States, where he said several members of the institution’s leadership had previously served prison terms before rebuilding their lives and careers.

He said, “I once visited a university in America where the entire faculty are people who came out of prison.

“From the dean to the registrar, professors spent years in prison for one offence or the other.

“So, if you say you want to change and be part of this new Nigeria we are talking about, we have reached a point where we have to tell ourselves the truth.”

Obi said Nigeria must be honest about the causes of disunity and insecurity if the country hopes to achieve lasting peace.

The NDC presidential candidate also linked security to national unity, insisting that every part of the country must feel represented in government and national development.

He said his vision for Nigeria would be anchored on fairness, inclusiveness, equal opportunities and justice for all citizens, irrespective of tribe, religion or region.

According to him, no ethnic group or section of the country should feel abandoned or marginalised under his administration.

“I will unite the country and ensure that nobody is left behind. No tribe is left behind; there would be inclusiveness. We will show love and care for everybody,” Obi said.

He maintained that a government that treats all citizens with fairness and dignity would be better positioned to rebuild trust and reduce the grievances that fuel division and instability.