By Mercy Ajekigbe
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Peter Obi has reiterated his interest to lead from the front in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria if elected president in 2027.
Obi made this known on Sunday during a livestream hosted by the Emirsirdam Show, where he addressed some of the major challenges confronting the country.
During the livestream, a retired military officer who claimed to have served under Obi during his tenure as governor of Anambra State commended him for the security reforms and measures implemented under his administration.
The retired officer recalled that during Obi’s tenure, he could travel on roads across Anambra State without the fear of being kidnapped.
He contrasted his experience during that period with the current security situation under the APC-led federal government.
To reinforce his claims, he went on to list an alleged number of military personnels who had lost their lives in the fight against insecurity.
He subsequently asked Obi how he intended to replicate his security achievements in Anambra state at the national level if he wins the 2027 presidential election.
In response, Obi reiterated his intention to lead from the front in the fight against insecurity, a commitment he continues to pledge during his campaign for the upcoming election.
“I say this every time. I will lead from the front. I will not sit in Abuja” he said.
According to Obi, during his tenure as Anambra State governor, the relationship between the state government, the police and other security agencies, had weakened during his predecessor’s regime.
He explained that upon discovering the situation, he visited the headquarters of the police and the armed forces to speak with their leaders and find out what the state government could do to strengthen their efforts in combating insecurity.
“I drove down to the police and military headquarters and asked them for their leaders. I met and spoke to them and told them to request what they think would help in tackling this issue” he said.
Obi said that within three months after receiving their requests, he had procured the necessary machinery and equipment to support their operations.
He added that he also provided weekly payments to the security agencies to ensure they had all the resources needed.
He further noted that his administration established vigilante groups in many communities and provided them with vehicles to tackle insecurity at grassroots level.
