Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said his administration would adopt a dual strategy of dialogue and military action to address Nigeria’s security challenges if elected, insisting that those willing to embrace peace would be engaged while violent groups would face the full force of the law.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni, where he outlined what he described as a balanced approach to restoring security, national unity, and social cohesion across the country.
According to the former Anambra State governor, achieving lasting peace requires opening channels of communication with individuals and groups prepared to abandon violence and embrace reconciliation. He stressed that while his government would negotiate with those genuinely seeking peace, it would not hesitate to confront those determined to continue acts of terror and criminality.
“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.
He argued that rehabilitation and reintegration should form part of a broader security framework, maintaining that people who sincerely renounce violence should be given opportunities to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
Obi said societies make progress when they create avenues for redemption rather than permanently defining individuals by their past mistakes. To illustrate his point, he recounted a visit to a university in the United States where, according to him, several members of the institution’s leadership had previously served prison terms before turning their lives around.
“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,” he said.
The NDC flagbearer also linked national security to inclusiveness and equitable governance, arguing that no region, ethnic group, or community should feel excluded from the affairs of the nation. He said his vision for Nigeria is built on fairness, equal opportunity, and a sense of belonging for all citizens.
“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,” he added.
Obi’s comments come amid continuing national debate over the most effective approach to tackling insecurity, including whether negotiations with armed groups should complement military operations.
While some security experts and peace advocates support dialogue as part of a wider conflict-resolution strategy, critics argue that negotiating with bandits and terrorists could embolden criminal groups and undermine ongoing military efforts.
Opponents of such negotiations have recently pointed to resolutions of the Senate and comments by senior lawyer Femi Falana, who warned that government-backed talks with terrorist groups could conflict with existing laws and send the wrong message to criminal elements.
