A statement from Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has sparked debate about how insecurity should be tackled in Nigeria.
During a media interview, Obi revealed that he would be willing to negotiate with bandits and other violent groups if they genuinely commit to peace and national unity.
However, Obi made it clear that dialogue would only be considered for those ready to abandon violence and become part of efforts to rebuild the country.
The stance was disclosed during an interview with journalist Rufai Oseni. Furthermore, the former Anambra State governor stressed that peace and inclusion would form the foundation of his administration if elected president.
According to Obi, his government would seek engagement with individuals and groups willing to embrace peace. At the same time, he maintained that those determined to continue violent activities would face a different response.
“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,” he said.
The comment comes at a time when insecurity remains a major concern across several parts of the country.
Obi argued that people who have made mistakes in the past should not be permanently excluded from society. Instead, he believes individuals should be given a chance to reform if they demonstrate a sincere desire to change.
To support his position, he recalled an experience during a visit to a university in the United States. According to him, many people occupying important positions within the institution had previously served prison terms but were later reintegrated into society.
“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 another. 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.”
Moreover, Obi suggested that rehabilitation and inclusion could play an important role in national development.
“I will unite the country and secure that nobody is left behind. No tribe is left behind; there would be inclusiveness. We will show love and care for everybody,” he said.
Nevertheless, Obi’s position highlights a governance approach centered on inclusion, reconciliation, and national cohesion.
