Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said he would be willing to engage in dialogue with bandits and other violent groups if they genuinely renounce criminal activities and embrace peace.
The former governor of Anambra made the comment while speaking in an interview on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni. He explained that while his administration would not hesitate to use force against criminals who continue to engage in violence, there should also be room for rehabilitation and reintegration for those willing to change.
According to the former Anambra State governor, lasting peace requires a combination of security operations and efforts to address the factors driving violence and criminality.
Obi stated that individuals who abandon crime and demonstrate a sincere commitment to peace should be given an opportunity to reintegrate into society.
“We must create pathways for rehabilitation and reintegration for people who genuinely renounce violence and are willing to contribute positively to society,” he said.
Mixed Reactions From Nigerians
The proposal has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, particularly on social media.
Some critics argued that negotiating with bandits could send the wrong signal and potentially encourage criminal groups. Others questioned whether dialogue should be considered with individuals responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings, and killings.
Several commentators expressed concerns that any form of engagement with armed groups could undermine efforts to strengthen law enforcement and security operations.
However, supporters of Obi’s position argued that successful conflict resolution in many parts of the world has often involved a combination of military action, dialogue, deradicalisation, and reintegration programmes.
They maintained that offering a path away from violence for repentant individuals does not necessarily mean abandoning efforts to prosecute or confront hardened criminals.
Read some comments below;
Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar criticized the proposal, saying:
“Peter Obi should be reminded that bandits do not have PVCs if he is saying this to win them over. His desperation to be in power defies common sense. Whoever promises to negotiate with terrorists must be seen by Nigerians as a threat to their lives and social well-being, especially Northerners, who have suffered from insecurity for years. Nigerians must reject Peter Obi in 2027.”
Another commenter, Rheedwhan, questioned Obi’s understanding of leadership and security issues:
“Until they kidnap you and kill you, I doubt this man understands what it takes to be president; he just sits somewhere and imagines life.”
Organised Thoughts argued that Obi’s appeal was largely emotional:
“Tinubu’s not the real threat to our democracy; Obi is. Because he deeply talks about the emotions of our young, innocent people. He’s a terrible time bomb. Ordinarily, this guy will make a good VP, where he will learn so much and later be promoted. But see him messing up things.”
Similarly, Prince Uthman suggested that Obi’s comments revealed weaknesses in his approach:
“The more people speak, the more they reveal the content of their personality. Sometimes, it’s better to be judged by assumption than by reality.”
Security Remains a Major 2027 Campaign Issue
The debate highlights the growing importance of security as a key issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Nigeria continues to face challenges ranging from banditry and kidnapping to terrorism and communal violence, with many voters expected to closely scrutinise the security proposals of major presidential contenders.
Obi’s comments add to the ongoing national conversation about the best approach to tackling insecurity, with opinions divided between those who favour a predominantly military response and those who support a mix of force, dialogue, and rehabilitation.
As political campaigns gather momentum, security is expected to remain one of the most closely watched issues in the race for Nigeria’s highest office.
