ABUJA, Nigeria — The former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has pledged to end insecurity through decisive military action. Furthermore, he stated that he would effectively declare war on terrorists if he wins the presidency.
During a television interview on Monday, April 13, 2026, the Labour Party (LP) politician rejected the idea of negotiating with criminals. Meanwhile, the discussion followed a deadly ambush in Benisheikh, Borno State, in the northeastern region of Nigeria.
The attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram claimed the lives of several soldiers. Consequently, Obi insisted that the government must respond forcefully to the killing of high-ranking military officers.
Obi Rejects Negotiation with Armed Groups
“No nation will lose about 10 of its senior officers without a response,” Obi stated during the broadcast. In addition, he emphasized his firm stance by saying, “I will declare war on the terrorists. There is nothing like negotiation.”
Okay News reports that the former governor pointed to his previous administrative record as a successful template for national security. Specifically, he recalled his tenure in Anambra State, located in the southeastern part of the country.
He explained that he once sought direct authority from the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, to tackle local crime. However, he maintained that his past results were fully verified by top security officials at that time.
Addressing the Root Causes of Insecurity
Peter Obi noted that military force alone cannot solve the entire problem. Instead, he argued that current security challenges result from years of leadership failure and the neglect of Nigerian youth.
Furthermore, he suggested that the country must rebuild its social trust and educational institutions. Consequently, he proposed a dual strategy that combines immediate combat with long-term governance and justice for the population.
In addition, he expressed his willingness to work with prominent northern political leaders to achieve these goals. Meanwhile, he vowed to lead from the front lines to ensure Nigerians feel the impact of his policies.
