Nigeria Cannot Progress While Citizens Live in Fear – Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful progress while citizens continue to live in fear, calling for urgent action to address insecurity.

Obi said protecting lives and property must be a priority, stressing that Nigerians should be able to carry out their daily activities without fear of attacks.

He spoke during a courtesy visit to the Plateau State Traditional Council in Jos ahead of a town hall meeting as part of his consultations with Nigerians before the 2027 general election.

The former Anambra State governor said the consultations were designed to give citizens an opportunity to express their concerns and help shape policies that address their needs.

He explained that his decision to engage communities before the official campaign period was based on the belief that effective leadership must begin with listening to the people.

“When you want to serve, you must listen to the people. When we come for campaigns, we only talk and we don’t listen to the people. We have decided that leadership must be demand-driven,” Obi said.

He recalled visiting Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Mangu and other communities affected by violence in Plateau State, describing the security situation as unacceptable.

Obi said his presidential ambition was driven by the need to address the suffering of Nigerians, particularly victims of insecurity, displaced persons and families who had lost loved ones to violence.

“If I have one person in an IDP camp, it means we are all in an IDP camp. I am competing because I want to know how we talk to that mother whose child was killed, that husband who lost a wife and that woman who lost a husband. Who is going to listen to their cries?” he asked.

The NDC candidate also expressed concern over rising poverty, infant mortality and the increasing number of out-of-school children.

He argued that Nigeria had the resources to tackle these challenges through greater investment in education, healthcare and agriculture.

Obi further stressed that children should be able to return safely from school, farmers from their farms and traders from markets without fear of attacks.

Traditional Ruler Calls For Peaceful Politics

Responding, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, urged politicians and Nigerians to ensure that political activities did not worsen the country’s security challenges.

He called for peaceful political engagement, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, stressing that collective efforts were needed to restore stability.

“We want to appeal to all politicians and all Nigerians that we should not allow politics to worsen our situation. We already have insecurity, and we must be determined to live with each other in peace and with respect for one another,” the traditional ruler said.

The Gbong Gwom Jos also prayed for divine guidance in the emergence of a leader who would govern the country effectively and restore its greatness.

He urged politicians to promote peace and avoid actions capable of increasing tensions throughout the electioneering period.