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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has pledged to unite Nigeria, tackle insecurity and fight corruption if elected president.
Obi made the commitment during a town hall meeting in Calabar, in the company of his running mate, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He stressed that his administration would prioritise national unity, security, education, healthcare and the welfare of citizens.
“Our commitment is to unite Nigeria. Nigeria today is not united. If we unite Nigeria today, we will have the strength to fight insecurity,” he said.
On insecurity, he said security agencies under his watch would pursue kidnappers into their hideouts to ensure the safe rescue of abducted schoolchildren.
“Anybody that kidnaps schoolchildren and goes into the bush, we will be in that bush with him, wherever it is. We are not scared of him,” Obi said.
On corruption, he promised to confront the menace decisively, insisting that public funds must be deployed for the benefit and welfare of Nigerians.
“We will fight corruption head-on. We want people to stop stealing public money. Public money must be used for public good and for the welfare of the people,” he said.
Obi also pledged increased investment in education and healthcare, describing both sectors as critical areas of national development.
He said his political partnership represented a new approach to governance, anchored on shared responsibility and a commitment to transforming the country.
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“We represent a new Nigeria that is possible. We represent a governance that people have not seen in Nigeria before,” he said.
He said the engagement was organised to give residents the opportunity to ask questions and express their concerns without restrictions.
“The style is to listen to you. You are free to ask any question. No restriction. Make any comment. That is why we are here,” he said.
Prior to the town hall meeting, the NDC presidential candidate visited the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V.
Thousands of supporters besieged the venue of the meeting, singing, dancing and chanting the name of the NDC presidential candidate.
However, two security incidents were recorded in the course of the visit.
The State Police Command foiled a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and those of the NDC.
The State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) held a rally in support of the APC close to the venue of the town hall meeting.
The second incident occurred when the convoy of the NDC presidential candidate was attacked around the Watt Market area on its way from the palace of the Obong of Calabar.
The Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed the incident, saying a 27-year-old suspect, Victor Edet Duke, had been apprehended.
