2027: Obi Promises to Pursue School Kidnappers Into the Bush, Declares ‘We Are Not Scared’

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pledged to take the fight against kidnapping directly to criminals, promising that his administration would track down those responsible for abducting schoolchildren, regardless of where they hide.

The former Anambra State governor made the promise on Wednesday at the NDC presidential town hall meeting held at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, where he maintained that the country must no longer accept the prevailing security challenges.

“Under our watch, anybody that kidnaps schoolchildren and goes into that bush, we will be in that bush with him. We will be in that bush with him, wherever it is. We are not scared of him,” Obi said.

He presented himself and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as political leaders offering “a new Nigeria that is possible”.

According to Obi, Kwankwaso’s previous experience as Minister of Defence would be an advantage in addressing the country’s security problems, which he said would receive urgent attention under their administration.

The NDC candidate also stressed that rebuilding national unity would be the starting point of their government’s agenda, noting that insecurity could not be effectively tackled in a divided country.

Obi recalled communicating the same position during an earlier engagement with the Obong of Calabar.

“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 stated.

On social development, he promised increased attention to education and healthcare, describing education as one of the most important drivers of national progress.

“We will invest in education. We will invest in health,” he said.

Obi also said the partnership between him and Kwankwaso would introduce a different style of governance, moving away from the conventional relationship between a president and vice president.

“We represent a governance that people have not seen in Nigeria before. We used to have a president and a vice president. Now we are going to have partners driving change in Nigeria,” he said.

Addressing corruption, the former governor maintained that Nigerians could evaluate the integrity of both candidates through their public records. He pledged that their administration would pursue the fight against corruption vigorously to ensure public resources serve the interests of citizens.

“People know that we are fair, far less corrupt. We will fight corruption with every energy because we want people to stop stealing public money.

“Public money must be used for public good. Public money must be used for the welfare of the people,” he added.

He said the town hall meeting was designed to provide an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to engage with the candidates, assuring attendees that they could raise concerns and ask questions freely.

“You are free to ask any question. No restriction. Make any comment. That is why we are here,” Obi said.