Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he would be willing to engage in dialogue with bandits and other armed groups if they demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace, while maintaining a firm stance against those who continue to perpetrate violence.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni, where he was asked how he would address Nigeria’s persistent security challenges if elected president.
Responding to the question, Obi said negotiations could be a useful tool in resolving conflicts when those involved are prepared to renounce violence and embrace peaceful coexistence. However, he stressed that armed groups unwilling to lay down their weapons or cease criminal activities would face decisive action from the government.
According to the former Anambra State governor, effective security management requires a balanced approach that combines dialogue, intelligence gathering, law enforcement, and socio-economic interventions aimed at addressing the underlying causes of insecurity.
“I will negotiate with those who are genuinely ready for peace, but those who choose violence and refuse to change will have to face the consequences of their actions,” Obi said during the interview.
The presidential hopeful argued that many security crises around the world have been resolved through a combination of negotiations and enforcement measures, noting that governments must remain open to peaceful solutions where possible while preserving the authority of the state.
Nigeria has grappled with various security threats in recent years, including banditry, insurgency, kidnapping for ransom, communal clashes, and attacks by armed criminal groups across several regions of the country. The growing insecurity has remained a major issue in national political discourse, with candidates and public officials frequently outlining different strategies for restoring peace and stability.
Obi emphasized that any negotiation process under his administration would not amount to surrendering government authority to criminal elements. Rather, he said it would be part of a broader strategy aimed at ending violence, protecting lives and property, and creating conditions for long-term peace.
He also reiterated the need to strengthen Nigeria’s security institutions, improve intelligence operations, and invest in economic opportunities for young people, arguing that unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion often contribute to insecurity.
The comments have added to ongoing debates about the most effective approach to tackling banditry and other violent crimes in Nigeria, with some stakeholders advocating dialogue and reconciliation, while others favor a more forceful military response.
Obi maintained that a successful security policy must combine both approaches, rewarding those willing to abandon violence while ensuring that criminal actors who refuse peaceful engagement are confronted by the full weight of the law.
