‘If any Nigerian remains in captivity after one year to 18 months, hold Kwankwaso and I responsible’, says Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to address Nigeria’s growing displacement crisis, declaring that his administration would have failed if any Nigerian remained in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp 18 months after taking office.

Obi made the promise on Wednesday while speaking in Jos, the Plateau State capital, where he outlined his priorities ahead of the 2027 general election.

He assured Nigerians that national unity and security would receive priority attention under his administration if elected president.

The former Anambra State governor expressed concern over the divisions among Nigerians based on ethnicity and religion, stressing that the country needed unity to overcome its numerous challenges.

He maintained that bringing Nigerians together and addressing insecurity would be essential to resolving the displacement crisis and ensuring that affected citizens could return to their communities and rebuild their lives.

According to him, his administration would focus on uniting the country and ensuring the safety of citizens, particularly in communities affected by persistent killings and displacement.

“Our commitment is to unite Nigeria because today there is no unity, we are divided along tribal lines, religious lines, and that should not be, we are Nigerians.

“Number two is to secure Nigeria. It’s our priority to ensure that Nigerians live in safety. In a place like Plateau and Benue where people are being killed daily, I assure you that no mother will cry again for her children. I assure you that no woman will feel the pain of losing a husband, neither will the father feel the pain of losing a wife,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that his administration would not tolerate a situation in which Nigerians remained displaced long after he assumed office.

“I have said it, and I will repeat it that after one year to 18 months in office, if any Nigerian remains in an IDP camp, we have failed,” he declared.

Obi, who said he was familiar with the security challenges confronting communities in Plateau State, cited his visits to Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi as evidence of his understanding of the plight of affected residents.

“No other presidential candidate has been to Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi, so I know the pain that people are going through,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that a joint administration with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as vice-president would tackle kidnapping and insecurity across the country.

“Let me assure you that with Kwankwaso and I as the president and vice president of this country, nobody will kidnap school children and go into the bush,” Obi said.

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