Follow Us on Google
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to unite, saying the hardship caused by poor governance cuts across ethnic and religious lines.
Obi spoke on Sunday during an NDC Global Digital Townhall, where he fielded questions on national issues and the party’s strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Anambra State governor said Nigerians should stop allowing ethnic and religious differences to divide them when the challenges confronting the country affect everyone.
“We need unity in our country. Today we are not united. We are divided along ethnic and religious lines, and to the best of my knowledge, no tribe buys bread cheaper; no tribe buys fuel cheaper; no religion buys bread cheaper; no religion buys fuel cheaper,” Obi said.
He added: “The poverty that is in our country today spreads across the whole nation. No tribe is more secure than the other. Insecurity is all over the country.”
According to him, Nigeria needs a president who can unite the people and prioritise security.
“We need a president who will unite us. We need a president who will work tirelessly to secure the country,” he said.
Obi also reacted to the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The corps members were attacked by gunmen in the Umunoha area of Imo State last Thursday, with their families later reporting that the kidnappers demanded ransom.
Reacting to the incident, Obi questioned why the country had not been able to track down the abductors despite advances in technology.
“And we are still campaigning for the next election? It should not be. Where were they kidnapped? Which bush did they take them to? Is it not in Nigeria?” he asked.
He also questioned the reported ransom demand, saying: “Those phoning and demanding N1bn [as ransom] – are they phoning from outside Nigeria? No.”
Obi called for stronger security operations and better support for security personnel, arguing that agencies must have the equipment and welfare needed to confront criminals.
“We have security agencies. They must work. We must make sure we provide them with the logistics needed to work,” he said.
“We want a president who will lead from the front,” Obi added, as he called for improved support for security personnel and their families.
The NDC candidate’s comments came as concerns over insecurity and the abduction of prospective corps members continued to generate public debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
