Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared his willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for Nigeria, saying that effective leadership requires courage, commitment, and readiness to confront the nation’s security challenges head-on.
Obi made the remarks during a recent episode of the Black Box interview on Nevon HQ, hosted by journalist Rufai Oseni and released on Tuesday.
Responding to questions about how he would tackle rising insecurity as Commander-in-Chief—including the abduction of schoolchildren, the killing of teachers, and attacks on senior military officers—Obi emphasized that strong leadership and unwavering commitment are essential to restoring security.
“I have fought criminality in Anambra. Commitment solves the problem for everybody,” he said.
The former governor recalled his administration’s efforts against kidnapping in Anambra State, noting that criminal networks were effectively dismantled during his tenure. He cited comments allegedly made by a notorious kidnapper known as Vance, who reportedly acknowledged that criminal activities became difficult to sustain under Obi’s government.
According to Obi, leadership requires clear authority and decisive action.
“One government. It’s either I’m in charge or they’re in charge. One person must be in charge,” he stated.
Calling for a firm response to insecurity, Obi added: “We declare war. If you’re ready to lead, you must be ready to die. If you’re not ready to die, go home.”
When asked directly whether he was prepared to die for Nigeria, the former Labour Party presidential candidate answered without hesitation: “Yes.”
“Tomorrow. If I’m outside this country and there’s war, I’ll come back. I’m a Nigerian. I’ve never had any reason to have any country’s passport. God created me a Nigerian, and I’m ready to die here,” he said.
Obi’s comments come amid ongoing concerns over banditry, kidnapping, and attacks on schools and security personnel across several parts of the country.
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In May, gunmen abducted 40 students and teachers in Oyo State’s Orire Local Government Area. One teacher was reportedly killed during the attack, while another was beheaded in captivity. Several victims remain unaccounted for.
The security situation was further highlighted by the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife in Katsina State on May 30, 2026. Abubakar was later confirmed dead, while his wife was rescued days later.
Expressing concern over the growing influence of non-state actors, Obi argued that determined leadership could restore Nigeria’s security and revive the country’s military reputation.
He pointed to Nigeria’s past contributions to international peacekeeping missions in countries such as Liberia, Sudan, and Kuwait, insisting that the nation’s armed forces are capable of overcoming current challenges if given the necessary leadership and support.
Obi maintained that while operational strategies are important, the most critical factor in combating insecurity is the political will to act decisively and consistently.
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