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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that he is willing to lay down his life for Nigeria in the fight against insecurity, insisting that the country must confront bandits and terrorists with decisive action rather than be distracted by discussions about future elections.
Speaking during a podcast interview, Obi said the escalating wave of violence across the country requires courageous leadership and a total commitment to restoring the authority of the state over criminal elements operating in various parts of Nigeria.
According to him, the battle against insecurity demands leaders who are prepared to make personal sacrifices for the survival of the nation. He argued that government must take firm control of the situation and ensure that non-state actors do not continue to challenge the sovereignty of the country.
Obi stressed that only a unified and determined approach can defeat criminal networks terrorising communities, declaring that anyone entrusted with leadership during such a period must be ready to put the nation\\\'s interest above personal safety.
“One person must be in charge. We declare war. If you’re ready to live, you must be ready to die. If you’re not ready to die, go home,” he stated.
Responding to a question on whether he would personally make such a sacrifice, the former Anambra State governor answered in the affirmative, saying he would return home to stand with Nigerians even if he were outside the country when a national emergency occurred.
“Yes. Tomorrow, if I’m outside this country and there’s war, I’ll come back. I’m ready to die here. It’s one country. We cannot have non-state actors take over the state,” Obi said.
He also reflected on the past reputation of Nigeria’s military, recalling periods when Nigerian troops played significant peacekeeping roles across different parts of the world, including Africa and beyond.
Obi lamented what he described as the current deterioration in security, where armed groups are able to operate with increasing audacity, and called for urgent measures to reverse the trend.
The former presidential candidate further criticised the growing focus on political calculations ahead of future elections, arguing that the immediate concern should be the safety of citizens and the rescue of those held captive by criminal gangs.
He particularly expressed concern over children and other victims reportedly being held in forests by bandits, insisting that the nation’s collective attention must remain fixed on ending the humanitarian and security crisis.
Obi maintained that meaningful political discourse can only take place when citizens are safe and the government has re-established control over every part of the country.
He therefore urged Nigerians and political leaders to unite behind efforts aimed at defeating insecurity and restoring peace, saying the country\\\'s survival must take precedence over partisan interests and electoral ambitions.
