If Elected President, If They K!dnap Our Children, I Will Enter The Bush With Them,’ Peter Obi Tells Nigerians
‘If Elected President, If They Kidnap Our Children, I Will Enter The Bush With Them,’ Peter Obi Tells Nigerians
“If there is a general bush, I will be in that bush with them,” Obi said, describing the need for decisive action against insecurity.
The 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, declaring that he would not remain in office while citizens are abducted by criminals.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Enugu State on Thursday, Obi criticised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, insisting that Nigeria needs a president who is physically active, committed to securing the country and willing to engage directly with citizens.
“If there is a general bush, I will be in that bush with them,” Obi said, describing the need for decisive action against insecurity.
He added, “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.”
The former Anambra State governor spoke during his ongoing nationwide tour, which has taken him to several states, including Ondo, Ekiti and Ebonyi, as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi said Nigeria was grappling with hunger, unemployment and insecurity, arguing that the country’s next president must demonstrate competence, capacity, compassion and commitment to addressing these challenges.
“Today, our country is suffering. Today, people are hungry. Our children do not have employment. Today, Nigeria is not secured,” he said.
He added that the presidency required energy and direct engagement with Nigerians, in an apparent criticism of Tinubu’s leadership and his reported reluctance to campaign across the country
Obi challenged Tinubu to travel around Nigeria to explain his administration’s performance over the past three years and account for public funds and borrowings.
“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.
“Our President has travelled out of this country over 350 times. And now we are asking him, please spend at least 36 days and go round Nigeria and tell them what he has been doing for the past three years.”
He also questioned the utilisation of funds borrowed by the federal government.
“You have to go round Nigeria and tell them what you used nearly 100 billion dollars you borrowed for. You must come and tell us where is our money. All the money you earned, we want to know what it was used for,” he said.
Obi insisted that the president must account for his administration’s performance rather than expect Nigerians to vote for him without explaining how public resources had been spent.
“Our President must come and account for three years he’s been in office. He cannot stay in Abuja, and want us to vote for him. No! This job requires energy, requires travel,” he said.
Beyond security and accountability, Obi pledged to declare states of emergency on corruption, education and electricity generation if elected, promising greater transparency in the management of public funds.
“As President of Nigeria, we will put emergency on corruption. People must stop stealing public money. Public money must be used for public good. I’m asking for your commitment. We will be accountable, we will be open. If we want to borrow money, you will know what the money is being borrowed for,” he said.
On education, he said, “As President of Nigeria, I will declare emergency in education. Our children must go to school. We must ensure that there’s healthcare, primary healthcare in every ward in Nigeria.”
He also reiterated his pledge to generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity to support industrial development.
“We must move Nigeria from consumption to production,” Obi said, adding that the country must create a society “where the child of nobody will become somebody.”
The NDC presidential candidate also urged Nigerians not to support him solely because he is from the South-East, arguing that his candidacy should be judged on competence and qualifications.
“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 further challenged other presidential candidates to travel across the country and explain their plans to voters instead of relying on statements delivered from distant platforms.
“Let other candidates move around Nigeria and tell Nigerians what they will do. We want every candidate to move around,” he said.
Earlier, Professor Pat Utomi expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future and urged citizens to participate actively in the 2027 elections.
“Our country will become one of the greatest places to live. The time is now for genuine change to happen. We need to ensure that people come out massively, vote and defend their votes,” Utomi said.
Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central, endorsed the Obi–Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso partnership, describing the two politicians as leaders prepared to serve and promising to mobilise support for the NDC.
“Obi and Kwankwaso are the best ticket; they are ready to serve. They have the wisdom and commitment to change Nigeria for the better,” Umeh said.
He also urged supporters to protect their votes in the 2027 elections.
The NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chinyeaka Ohaa, said the party’s campaign was not solely about producing an Igbo president but about building a country that works for all Nigerians.
“Obi represents the hope of many Nigerians. And our people are solidly behind him,” Ohaa said.
In his welcome address, Ohaa recalled discussions with Kwankwaso in the United Kingdom in 2024 about the possibility of a renewed political alliance between the South-East and northern Nigeria. He said the Obi–Kwankwaso partnership offered an opportunity to build a broader national coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi concluded by urging supporters to mobilise for the NDC, expressing confidence that their efforts could help deliver what he described as a new Nigeria.
