THE 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said he is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for Nigeria, arguing that effective leadership requires courage and commitment in confronting the nation’s security challenges.
Obi made the remarks during a recent interview on Black Box, a programme hosted by journalist Rufai Oseni, where he discussed insecurity, kidnappings, and attacks on schools and security personnel across the country.
Responding to questions about how he would tackle the abduction of schoolchildren, the killing of teachers, and attacks on senior military officers if elected Commander-in-Chief, Obi emphasised the importance of determined leadership and political will.
Drawing from his experience as governor of Anambra State, he said criminality was significantly reduced during his administration through decisive action and sustained commitment.
Obi recalled that some notorious kidnappers had acknowledged the difficulty of operating in the state while he was governor, attributing the success to a government determined to assert authority over criminal elements.
According to him, leadership in times of crisis requires a readiness to confront challenges directly, insisting that those seeking to lead must be prepared to make personal sacrifices.
When asked whether he was personally willing to die for Nigeria, Obi answered in the affirmative, stating that he remains deeply committed to the country and would stand with it even in times of conflict.
The former governor also said he has never sought another country’s citizenship and considers Nigeria his home, regardless of the challenges facing the nation.
His comments come against the backdrop of ongoing security concerns across several parts of the country, including incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and attacks on educational institutions and security personnel.
Obi lamented the growing influence of non-state actors and expressed confidence that strong leadership could restore public confidence and strengthen national security.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s historical contributions to peacekeeping missions in countries such as Liberia, Sudan, and Kuwait as evidence of the country’s capacity to overcome current challenges.
He maintained that beyond policy discussions and operational plans, the most critical requirement for addressing insecurity is a firm commitment to taking decisive action.
