Osaretin Osadebamwen
The Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress NDC, for the 2027 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has declared that he will unite Nigeria and end the insecurity crisis within four years, if elected president in 2027, while dismissing allegations of ethnic bias against Northerners.
The former Anambra State governor who dismissed ethnic bias claims against him vowed to restore trust and tackle poverty in the country.
Obi, who spoke on Sunday Politics, a Channels TV programme, addressed concerns about whether an Igbo man can become Nigeria’s president, insisting that the country has moved beyond the “Igbo war syndrome” and that his victory would command the unity required to stabilize and build the nation.
“I will never divide Nigeria. I am going to be for everybody,” Obi stated.
The former governor faced questions about trust from Northerners, with many wondering whether they can trust an Igbo man to lead the country.
Obi responded by pointing to his record as Anambra State governor, where he said he worked closely with Northerners and supported them in various capacities sponsoring Muslim pilgrims.
Obi disclosed that he is personally sponsoring four Almajiri schools in Kaduna, Bauchi and a nursing school.
Obi declared that he would only serve one term of four years if elected president, insisting that he does not need more time to demonstrate good governance and give Nigeria a direction to national prosperity.
“I repeat again, I will stay four years. Not a day more,” he said.
When challenged that four years is insufficient to implement meaningful reforms, Obi maintained that Nigeria is headed in the wrong direction and needs urgent, decisive leadership to redirect Nigeria on the right path.
“We are headed in the wrong direction now. The logic of the room is leading us nowhere,” he argued.
Obi said he would tackle Nigeria’s security crisis and identified poverty as a major driver of insecurity, promising a comprehensive approach to address the root causes.
“Poverty in this country is not poverty. I am taking telling you. You need to deal with it. The more you talk about poverty, the more you need to deal with it,” he said.
He pledged to work with foreign partners to secure the country and promised to be on “ground zero” in the fight against insecurity, dismissing concerns about presidential security restrictions.
“Whatever it takes to secure any Nigerian, I will do that. It will be one for all,” Obi declared.
He urged Nigerians to focus on real Issues not ethnicity for which he expressed frustration that political discourse in Nigeria often focuses on ethnic and religious divisions rather than pressing national challenges.
The former Anambra state governor also responded to comments by Ali Modu Sheriff, who reportedly claimed that he cannot win election in Northern Nigeria. Obi dismissed the remarks as distractions aimed at keeping Nigerians divided.
“That is what the government and people are saying to ensure that the people continue to live up to the conditions that we are in today, this mess that we are in today,” he said.
Obi called on Nigerians to rebuild trust in one another, emphasizing that character and consistency are essential for national progress.
“Nigeria have lost trust in Nigerians. That is why I always say we need to deal with the issue of character. The character of a Nigerian must be consistent in doing the right thing,” he said.
