The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to take decisive action against insecurity if elected president, insisting that the Nigerian state must regain full control from criminal elements threatening the country.
Speaking during an interview with journalist Rufai Oseni, monitored by The News Chronicle on Wednesday, Obi said the government must demonstrate the political will required to defeat terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups.
Responding to concerns over the continued abduction of schoolchildren and teachers, as well as the reported death of a retired major general in captivity, the former Anambra State governor declared that leadership must take full responsibility for restoring security.
“If I am President today, it is either the terrorists are in charge of the country or I am in charge. One person must be in charge, or we declare war on insecurity,” Obi said.
He pointed to his record as governor of Anambra State, stating that he confronted insecurity decisively and prevented notorious criminals, including kidnap kingpin Evans, from operating in the state.
“Go and ask about my record when I was governor. I confronted insecurity head-on. Even notorious kidnappers like Evans and many others could not operate in Anambra and were forced to flee,” he added.
Obi also stressed his commitment to Nigeria, saying he would immediately return home from any foreign trip in the event of a national crisis.
“If I am outside the country and there is a crisis at home, I will return immediately. I am ready to die for Nigeria. I lived abroad for years, yet I never considered obtaining a foreign passport. I have only one passport the Nigerian passport,” he said.
The former governor maintained that securing lives and property would be a top priority of his administration, emphasizing that the government must reclaim authority from criminal elements and ensure the safety of citizens across the country.
