PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that if elected, his administration would pursue dialogue with bandits and other violent groups willing to abandon criminality, while deploying force against those who remain committed to violence.
News Point Nigeria reports that Obi made the remarks during an interview on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni, where he outlined what he described as a balanced approach to restoring security and strengthening national cohesion across the country if elected president.
The former Anambra State governor said lasting peace would require engaging individuals and groups prepared to embrace reconciliation and contribute positively to nation-building, while maintaining a firm stance against those determined to continue violent activities.
“In uniting the country, anybody who wants peace, I will talk with him; I will negotiate with him. Anybody who wants war, we will go to war,” Obi said.
According to him, Nigeria must create pathways for rehabilitation and reintegration for individuals who genuinely renounce violence and demonstrate a willingness to change. He argued that societies make progress when they provide opportunities for redemption rather than permanently condemning people for past mistakes.
To illustrate his position, Obi recalled a visit to a university in the United States, where he said several members of the institution’s leadership had previously served prison terms before rebuilding their lives and careers.
“I once visited a university in America where the entire faculty are people who came out of prison.
“From the dean to the registrar, professors spent years in prison for one offence or the other.
“So, if you say you want to change and be part of this new Nigeria we are talking about, we have reached a point where we have to tell ourselves the truth,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate also linked security to national unity, insisting that every part of the country must feel represented in government and in the distribution of development opportunities.
He said his vision for Nigeria is anchored on inclusiveness, fairness and equal opportunities, stressing that no ethnic group, region or community should feel marginalised.
“I will unite the country and ensure that nobody is left behind. No tribe is left behind; there would be inclusiveness. We will show love and care for everybody,” the presidential candidate stated.
Obi’s comments add to the ongoing national debate over whether negotiation, military action or a combination of both provides the most effective strategy for addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
The remarks also come amid renewed discussions about the effectiveness of dialogue as a security tool. While some analysts support engagement as part of a broader peace-building process, critics argue that negotiating with armed groups risks legitimising criminality and weakening ongoing military operations aimed at restoring order.
In recent days, opponents of negotiations with bandits have pointed to resolutions of the Senate and comments by senior lawyer Femi Falana, who warned that government-backed negotiations with terrorists could violate existing laws and send the wrong signal to criminal elements.
News Point Nigeria reports that Obi’s position is likely to further fuel discussions on the balance between reconciliation, rehabilitation and military action as Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity across several regions of the country.