Peter Obi says he would take a hardline military approach against armed groups if elected president in 2027, declaring he would “declare war on terrorists” and reject negotiations with insurgents.
The former Anambra state governor and Labour Party presidential candidate made the comments Monday in an interview amid renewed national concern over rising insecurity, including recent deadly attacks on soldiers in Borno state.
“No nation will lose about 10 of its senior officers without a response. I will declare war on the terrorists. There is nothing like negotiation,” Obi said.
He referenced his tenure as governor, saying his security strategy in Anambra state demonstrated that decisive action could restore order. Obi said he once sought approval from former President Olusegun Obasanjo to implement his security plan and claimed it led to a reduction in violent crime.
He also cited past security officials, including former police and military officers, as witnesses to the effectiveness of his approach.
Obi argued that while force is necessary, Nigeria’s insecurity is also rooted in long-standing governance failures.
“What you are seeing today is the cumulative effect of leadership failure over the years,” he said, citing weakened institutions, poor education and social breakdown as contributing factors.
He proposed a dual strategy combining immediate military action with long-term institutional reform.
“You start building while you are pushing,” he said. “You bring governance, justice, people are punished if they do the wrong thing.”
Obi said he would not lead “from the back” if elected, adding that he would take a frontline approach to governance.
He also said he would work with political figures across the country, including former Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Kano state governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to address insecurity nationwide.
