The former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has stated that if elected president, he will declare war on terrorists and reject diplomacy as a response to insecurity.
Drawing on his experience as Anambra State governor, he claimed that quick action can restore safety throughout Nigeria.
Obi made the remarks in an interview with Arise TV on Monday, during a discussion about the country’s deteriorating security situation, including the recent killing of Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah and other troops in a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Benisheikh, Borno State.
“No nation will lose about 10 of its senior officers without a response. I will declare war on the terrorists. There is nothing like negotiation,” he said.
Obi stated that the method that worked in Anambra during his stint as governor would be applied nationally.
He remembers going directly to former President Olusegun Obasanjo seeking authorization to act.
“I had to come here and tell President Obasanjo, this is what I want to do, and you must allow me to do it,” he said, adding that the results were verifiable.
He named Jarrell Enenche, a former army commander, and the late security officials John Haruna and Commissioner Bello as witnesses to the events.
He referenced a former inspector general of police as assurance that the method was successful.
“The IG, Abubakar, came and said for five years, we have not had an issue of major robbery or kidnapping in Anambra State,” he added.
Obi contended, however, that military force alone was insufficient and that the origins of today’s insecurity were the result of decades of policy failure.
“What you are seeing today is the cumulative effect of leadership failure over the years, erosion of governance, erosion of values, abandoning the youth, education, social trust, everything,” he said.
He proposed a two-pronged response: quick, decisive force coupled with long-term institutional rebuilding.
“You start building while you are pushing. You bring governance and justice; people are punished if they do the wrong thing,” he said.
When the interviewer mentioned that he would need to become president to carry out such ambitions, Obi did not argue, focusing instead on the partners he would need and his dedication to front-line leadership.
He cited northern political personalities such as former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as persons with whom he planned to collaborate, stating that he wanted to “be in the north.”
He concluded with a direct vow on leadership style. “I will not lead from the back.” People will see and feel it.
