Nigeria @ 66: Peter Obi Vows to End Insecurity, Return Displaced Nigerians if Elected

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to confront insecurity and create conditions for Nigerians displaced by violence to safely return to their communities if elected president in 2027.

Obi made the commitment in his Independence Day address on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary, where he also raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, unemployment, hunger and other challenges confronting the country.

The former Anambra State governor said no Nigerian should be forced to remain in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp because of insecurity, promising that his administration would work to enable displaced citizens to return home safely and with dignity.

He said tackling insecurity would allow farmers to return to their farms, children to return to school and businesses to operate without fear.

The statement comes days after Obi visited an IDP camp in Ramin Kura, Sokoto State, where he interacted with displaced residents and assessed their living conditions. He said the experience highlighted the difficulties faced by Nigerians who had been forced to leave their communities because of violence.

Obi also criticised the current state of the country, arguing that there was a gap between promises made by the All Progressives Congress-led government and the realities facing Nigerians.

He identified poverty, insecurity, unemployment, hunger, inadequate education and healthcare, among other issues, as challenges requiring urgent attention.

According to him, his administration would prioritise security, education, healthcare and productive enterprise while working to move Nigeria towards a more productive economy focused on job creation, agriculture and manufacturing.

Obi further pledged that Nigerians would begin to see what he described as tangible results of effective governance within his first year in office if elected.

He urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country, saying Nigeria's challenges could be addressed through accountable leadership and active citizenship.

His remarks come as political activities gradually intensify ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general election.