BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress while its citizens live in fear, according to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi.
In a fierce battle cry for national renewal on Tuesday, Obi declared that tackling the country’s rampant insecurity and protecting lives and property must be an immediate, non-negotiable priority of government if the nation is to survive and thrive.
The NDC flag bearer dropped the challenge in Jos during a high-profile courtesy visit to the Plateau State Traditional Council, insisting that there should be no compromise in tackling insecurity as well as protecting lives and property nationwide.
Speaking at the strategic meeting, which serves as a prelude to his state-wide town hall, anchoring an aggressive nationwide consultation blitz ahead of the 2027 general elections, Obi said the decision to engage communities before the commencement of campaigns was informed by the need to listen to Nigerians, understand their challenges and develop solutions that address their needs.
The former Anambra State governor said: “When you want to serve, you must listen to the people. When we come for campaigns, we only talk and we don’t listen to the people. We have decided that leadership must be demand-driven.”
Recalling his visits to Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Mangu and other troubled communities in Plateau State, he described the security situation as unacceptable, stressing that his presidential ambition was driven by the desire to address the plight of Nigerians, particularly victims of insecurity, displaced persons and families who have lost loved ones to violence.
“If I have one person in an IDP camp, it means we are all in an IDP camp. I am competing because I want to know how we talk to that mother whose child was killed, that husband who lost a wife and that woman who lost a husband. Who is going to listen to their cries?” he asked.
Also, while expressing concern over Nigeria’s rising poverty, infant mortality and the growing number of out-of-school children, Obi said the country has the resources to address these challenges through investments in education, healthcare and agriculture.
According to him, Nigerians should be able to go about their daily activities without fear, saying children must return safely from school, farmers from their farms and traders from the markets.
In his response, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, urged politicians and Nigerians to ensure that political activities do not worsen the country’s security challenges.
The Royal Father, who challenged political actors on peaceful engagement, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, emphasised the need for collective efforts to restore peace and stability, saying: “We want to appeal to all politicians and all Nigerians that we should not allow politics to worsen our situation.
“We already have insecurity, and we must be determined to live with each other in peace and with respect for one another.”
The reverred traditional ruler delivered a powerful dual charge to his visitors in a prayer for divine guidance to elect a leader who will restore the nation’s greatness, and an urgent demand for politicians to maintain peace throughout the elections.
On divine guidance, he prayed for a leader who will govern effectively and restore the nation’s greatness, while urging all candidates to embrace peace and eschew violence throughout the electioneering period.
