Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said he would be willing to negotiate with bandits and other violent groups if they genuinely renounce violence and embrace peace.
Speaking during an interview on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni, Obi outlined his approach to tackling insecurity, stressing that dialogue would remain an option for individuals and groups ready to contribute to national stability.
The former Anambra State governor said rebuilding Nigeria would require a combination of engagement, inclusion and decisive action against those unwilling to abandon violence.
“In uniting the country, anybody who wants peace, I will talk with him; I will negotiate with him,” Obi said.
“Anybody who wants war, we will go to war,” he added, drawing a clear distinction between those seeking reconciliation and those determined to continue violent activities.
Obi argued that people who have committed wrongs in the past should not automatically be written off if they show genuine willingness to reform and become productive members of society.
To support his position, he recalled a visit to a university in the United States where several members of the institution’s leadership had previously served prison sentences before rebuilding their lives and careers.
“I once visited a university in America where the entire faculty are people who came out of prison,” he said.
“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.”
The NDC candidate maintained that national unity would remain a major priority under his administration. According to him, every region and ethnic group must feel included in governance to strengthen trust and reduce tensions across the country.
Obi said his vision for Nigeria is built on inclusiveness, fairness and equal opportunities, insisting that no community should feel marginalised.
“I will unite the country and secure that nobody is left behind. No tribe is left behind; there would be inclusiveness,” he stated.
“We will show love and care for everybody.”
His comments come amid ongoing national debates over the best approach to addressing banditry, terrorism and other security threats confronting several parts of Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election.
