Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has pledged to declare war on terrorists and rule out negotiations as a strategy to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity if elected president.
Obi made the statement during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, where he addressed the country’s security challenges, including the recent killing of Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah and several soldiers in a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Benisheikh, 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,” he said.
Citing his tenure as governor of Anambra State, Obi argued that decisive leadership can restore security nationwide. He recalled seeking approval from former President Olusegun Obasanjo to implement firm security measures in the state.
“I had to come and tell President Obasanjo, this is what I want to do and you must allow me to do it,” he said, noting that the results were evident.
He referenced testimonies from security officials, including former army commander Jarrell Enenche and the late John Haruna, as well as Commissioner Bello, to support his claims. Obi also cited a former Inspector-General of Police, Abubakar, who reportedly confirmed that Anambra experienced no major robbery or kidnapping incidents for five years during his administration.
Despite advocating strong military action, Obi stressed that force alone would not solve Nigeria’s security crisis. He attributed the situation to years of leadership failure, weakened institutions, and neglect of youth development and education.
“What you are seeing today is the cumulative effect of leadership failure over the years—erosion of governance, values, education, and social trust,” he said.
He proposed a dual approach combining immediate military action with long-term institutional reforms.
“You start building while you are pushing. You bring governance and justice, and ensure people are held accountable when they do wrong,” he added.
Obi also highlighted the importance of collaboration, naming northern political figures such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as potential partners, while stressing his intention to maintain a strong presence in the region.
He concluded with a pledge on leadership style: “I am not going to lead from the back. People will see, they will feel it.”
