Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to personally join efforts to rescue kidnapped Nigerians if elected president in 2027, saying he would not remain in office while citizens were held hostage by criminals.
Obi made the pledge on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Enugu, where he outlined his plans to tackle insecurity, corruption, unemployment and other challenges confronting the country.
The former Anambra State governor criticised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that Nigeria needed an energetic and committed president who would take direct responsibility for addressing the country’s security challenges.
He said his administration would not hesitate to engage directly in efforts to rescue abducted citizens.
“We will not be in government, and people who kidnap 600 people and go to the bush; we will go into that bush with them,” Obi said.
“As president of Nigeria, I will unite Nigeria. As president of Nigeria, I will secure Nigeria. We will deal with insecurity. I will not be president, and somebody will kidnap our children; we will enter the bush together.”
Obi said the country needed a leader with the competence, capacity, compassion and commitment to address its worsening security and economic challenges.
“Today, our country is suffering. Today, people are hungry. Our children do not have employment. Today, Nigeria is not secured,” he said.
He also challenged Tinubu to embark on nationwide campaign tours to explain his administration’s performance over the past three years and account for public funds and government borrowings.
Obi said the presidency required physical energy and the willingness to engage directly with Nigerians across the country.
“Your present said he will not be able to campaign all over Nigeria. Please, do not listen to him. He must come and campaign all over Nigeria,” Obi said.
The NDC candidate further pledged to declare states of emergency in the fight against corruption, education and electricity generation if elected.
He said his administration would ensure that public funds were used for the benefit of Nigerians and that government borrowing was transparent and accountable.
“As president of Nigeria, we will put an emergency on corruption. People must stop stealing public money. Public money must be used for public good. I’m asking for your commitment,” he said.
“We will be accountable; we will be open. If we want to borrow money, you will know what the money is being borrowed for.
“As president of Nigeria, I will declare an emergency in education. Our children must go to school. We must ensure that there’s healthcare and primary healthcare in every ward in Nigeria.”
On electricity, Obi reiterated his commitment to addressing the country’s power crisis, pledging to generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity if elected.
He said reliable electricity was essential to reviving industries, creating employment and stimulating economic growth.
Nigeria’s electricity generation has remained a major challenge, with available generation standing at approximately 5,403.3 megawatts as of September 2026, according to figures cited in a recent report by Premium Times.
Obi also urged Nigerians to look beyond ethnic considerations when choosing their next president, insisting that his competence and capacity should determine whether he receives their support.
“Don’t vote for me, because I’m an Igbo man. Please, I’m asking for your vote because I’m the most qualified to be president of Nigeria,” he said.
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party platform, is now seeking to lead the NDC into the 2027 general elections. He has named former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
The NDC candidate has made security, economic recovery, education, healthcare and electricity central to his campaign promises.
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