Peter Obi calls for national unity and stronger response to insecurity

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has called for greater unity among Nigerians, saying the country cannot make progress while divided along ethnic and religious lines. Obi made the comments on Sunday during an NDC Global Digital Townhall, where he answered questions about issues affecting Nigerians and the party’s strategy for the 2027 general elections. He said the effects of poor governance were not limited to any particular community or faith.

Obi argued that Nigerians faced similar pressures regardless of their background, including the cost of basic goods, fuel prices, poverty and insecurity. “We need unity in our country,” Obi said, according to the source material. He added that no tribe or religion bought bread or fuel more cheaply than another, and said insecurity was affecting the whole country.

Obi said Nigeria needed a president who would unite the country and work continuously to improve security. His comments came days after gunmen abducted members of the National Youth Service Corps who were travelling from Ibadan in Oyo State to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. The corps members were attacked in the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday.

Obi questioned how the abductors were able to operate within Nigeria and referred to reports that callers were demanding a N1bn ransom. He said available technology should help authorities locate those responsible and urged security agencies to act against criminal groups. Obi also called for the agencies to receive the logistics they needed, while their personnel and families should be properly supported.

He said the country needed a president who would “lead from the front” on security.