Peter Obi Calls for Unity Among Nigerians

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called for greater unity among Nigerians, saying the country cannot make meaningful progress while divided along ethnic and religious lines.

Obi spoke on Sunday during the NDC Global Digital Townhall, where he answered questions on issues affecting Nigerians and the party’s plans for the 2027 general elections.

The former Anambra State governor said the effects of poor governance cut across ethnic and religious groups, making national unity necessary.

“We need unity in our country. Today we are not united. We are divided along ethnic and religious lines, and to the best of my knowledge, no tribe buys bread cheaper; no tribe buys fuel cheaper; no religion buys bread cheaper; no religion buys fuel cheaper,” Obi said.

He argued that poverty and insecurity affect Nigerians across the country, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

“The poverty that is in our country today spreads across the whole nation. No tribe is more secure than the other. Insecurity is all over the country. Same thing I have been saying,” he said.

Obi said Nigeria needed a president who would prioritise national unity and security.

“We need a president who will unite us. We need a president who will work tirelessly to secure the country,” he said.

Obi reacts to NYSC members’ abduction

Obi also criticised the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The corps members were reportedly attacked in the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday.

Reacting to the incident, Obi questioned the government’s response to the abduction and the continued insecurity across the country.

“And we are still campaigning for the next election? It should not be. Where were they kidnapped? Which bush did they take them to? Is it not in Nigeria? Those phoning and demanding N1 billion [as ransom] – are they phoning from outside Nigeria? No,” he said.

He argued that security agencies should make greater use of available technology to locate and rescue people held by criminal groups.

“With available technology, we should be able to find where people who are doing bad things are. If they are in a bush in Nigeria, all of us should be able to go into that bush until everybody there is out. We cannot continue this way,” Obi said.

The former governor called for stronger support for Nigeria’s security agencies, including adequate logistics and welfare for personnel.

“We have security agencies. They must work. We must make sure we provide them with the logistics needed to work. We must make sure we are with them. We must make sure they are properly taken off, and their families are taken care of if anything happens to them if they are not available. We want a president who will lead from the front,” he said.