Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said he would adopt a hardline approach against terrorism, including declaring outright war on insurgents if elected president.
Obi made the assertion on Monday during an interview on Arise Television, where he addressed Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
He spoke against the backdrop of the recent killing of Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah and several soldiers in an attack by insurgents in Benisheikh, Borno State.
According to him, no responsible nation would allow such a loss of senior military officers without a decisive response.
The former governor ruled out negotiation as a strategy, insisting that firm military action was necessary to curb the menace of terrorism.
Drawing from his tenure in Anambra State, Obi said decisive leadership helped restore security, noting that similar measures could be replicated at the national level.
He recalled engaging former President Olusegun Obasanjo to secure the authority needed to implement security measures during his time in office.
Obi maintained that the results of his approach were evident, citing testimonies from security officials who served during the period.
He referenced a former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, as having acknowledged a significant reduction in major crimes in Anambra during his administration.
Despite advocating strong military action, Obi noted that force alone would not resolve the crisis.
He attributed the country’s security challenges to years of governance failure, including neglect of education, youth development, and erosion of public trust.
According to him, addressing insecurity requires a dual strategy of immediate enforcement and long-term institutional reforms.
Obi also highlighted the importance of collaboration, naming political figures such as Nasir El-Rufai and Rabiu Kwankwaso as potential partners in tackling insecurity, particularly in the northern region.
He pledged to provide hands-on leadership, assuring Nigerians that his administration would be proactive and visible in confronting security challenges.
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