I’ll Negotiate With Peace-Seeking Bandits, Fight Violent Ones – Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said he is open to holding talks with bandits and other armed groups if they are ready to give up violence and embrace peace.

Peter Obi made the remarks during an appearance on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni when he was asked how he would deal with insecurity if elected president.

According to him, his government would focus on bringing Nigerians together and creating room for anyone willing to abandon violence and contribute positively to the country’s progress.

He said he would not hesitate to negotiate with those seeking peace but would take a tougher stance against individuals or groups that continue to choose violence.

Obi said, “In uniting the country, anybody who wants peace, I will talk with him; I will negotiate with him. Anybody who wants war, we will go to war.”

The former Anambra State governor also stressed that people who have made mistakes in the past should not be condemned forever, provided they show genuine remorse and a willingness to change.

To support his point, Obi recalled visiting a university in the United States where many senior officials and lecturers had once been incarcerated.

“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.”

He added that his administration would be built on unity and inclusiveness, ensuring that no tribe, ethnic group or region feels neglected.

“I will unite the country and secure that nobody is left behind. No tribe is left behind; there would be inclusiveness. We will show love and care for everybody,” Obi said.

KanyiDaily recalls that Peter Obi recently called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, saying he sees no valid reason for the continued imprisonment of the IPOB leader.