Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed to personally join efforts to rescue kidnapped Nigerians if elected president in 2027, promising a more direct approach to tackling insecurity across the country.
Obi made the pledge on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Enugu, where he criticised the government's handling of insecurity and said the next president must take personal responsibility for protecting citizens.
He said he would not remain in the Presidential Villa while armed criminals abducted Nigerians and escaped into forests.
“We will not be in government, and people who kidnap 600 people and go to the bush; we will go into that bush with them,” Obi said.
Reaffirming his commitment to national security, the former Anambra State governor said his administration would prioritise unity and take decisive action against kidnapping and other security threats.
“As president of Nigeria, I will unite Nigeria. As president of Nigeria, I will secure Nigeria. We will deal with insecurity. I will not be president, and somebody will kidnap our children; we will enter the bush together,” he said.
Obi described insecurity, hunger and unemployment as some of the major challenges facing the country, arguing that Nigeria needed a leader with the competence, capacity, compassion and commitment to address them.
“Today, our country is suffering. Today, people are hungry. Our children do not have employment. Today, Nigeria is not secured,” he said.
He also criticised President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the president should travel across the country to explain his administration's performance over the past three years and account for public funds and government borrowings.
Obi urged Tinubu not to avoid nationwide campaigning, saying Nigerians deserved an opportunity to question the government about its policies and achievements.
“Your president said he will not be able to campaign all over Nigeria. Please, do not listen to him. He must come and campaign all over Nigeria,” Obi said.
On his plans for governance, the NDC presidential candidate promised to declare states of emergency on corruption, education and electricity generation if elected.
He said tackling corruption would be a priority, adding that public resources must be managed transparently and directed towards improving the lives of Nigerians.
“As president of Nigeria, we will put an emergency on corruption. People must stop stealing public money. Public money must be used for public good. I’m asking for your commitment,” he said.
Obi also promised greater accountability in government spending, particularly in the management of public debt.
“We will be accountable; we will be open. If we want to borrow money, you will know what the money is being borrowed for,” he added.
On education and healthcare, he pledged to declare an emergency in the education sector, ensure children have access to schooling and strengthen primary healthcare delivery across the country.
“As president of Nigeria, I will declare an emergency in education. Our children must go to school. We must ensure that there’s healthcare and primary healthcare in every ward in Nigeria,” Obi said.
The former governor also urged Nigerians not to support his presidential ambition on ethnic grounds, insisting that his candidacy should be judged on competence and qualifications.
“Don’t vote for me, because I’m an Igbo man. Please, I’m asking for your vote because I’m the most qualified to be president of Nigeria,” he said.
