I will tackle insecurity, corruption, poverty if elected president, says Obi

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said his administration will prioritise national unity, security, productivity and job creation if elected president in 2027.

Obi spoke during an exclusive interview with Arise Television on Thursday, where he said Nigerians must move beyond historical grievances and work towards building a united country.

He said his commitment to national unity was particularly important in addressing lingering divisions arising from Nigeria’s history, including the civil war. Obi urged Nigerians not to allow past events to determine the country’s future, saying, “Those who dwell on yesterday and today will miss tomorrow. Tomorrow is the only future we have.”

On his promise to serve only one term and hand over power in 2031, Obi said four years was enough to begin changing the country’s direction. He cited his record as Anambra State governor, saying the state witnessed significant changes during his first term.

Obi also outlined his approach to insecurity, saying the president must personally take charge of the country’s security architecture. He promised to appoint competent security chiefs, consult local stakeholders and visit areas affected by insecurity rather than directing operations from Abuja.

He expressed support for state police and said his administration would take decisive action against kidnappers and other criminals. Obi, however, rejected the payment of ransom to secure the release of kidnapped victims, saying the focus should be on preventing kidnappings and dealing with criminal networks.

On fuel subsidy removal, Obi said the subsidy regime had been affected by corruption and criminality, arguing that the government should first eliminate leakages and ensure that savings from subsidy removal were properly invested. He said the Federal Government had reported savings of about N16.8 trillion but questioned the impact of the funds on the lives of Nigerians.

The former Anambra governor also criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as reckless spending and poor leadership, saying he would prioritise fixing existing infrastructure before embarking on new projects.