ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared that he would adopt a hardline military approach against terrorism if elected president, ruling out negotiations as a strategy to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, Obi said the scale of recent attacks, including the killing of Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah and several soldiers in Benisheikh, Borno State, demands decisive national action.
“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,” Obi stated.
The former governor argued that his administration’s security approach in Anambra State provides a tested model for tackling insecurity at the national level. According to him, firm leadership and coordinated security operations were key to restoring order during his tenure.
Obi recalled consulting former President to secure the necessary backing for his strategy at the time.
“I had to come here and tell President Obasanjo, this is what I want to do and you must allow me to do it,” he said, emphasizing that the outcomes were measurable and widely acknowledged.
He further noted that several security officials, including military and police authorities, could attest to the effectiveness of the approach.
Obi maintained that Nigeria requires strong political will and a clear, uncompromising stance to defeat insurgency and restore public confidence in national security.
Credit: Punch
