By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to prioritise the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral communities, declaring that the continued existence of displacement camps would amount to a failure of leadership.
Obi made the pledge while unveiling his governance agenda at a town hall meeting with supporters and other Nigerians in Jos, Plateau State, where he outlined national unity, security, economic productivity and accountable leadership as the pillars of his proposed administration.
He said his first priority, if elected president in 2027, would be to unite the country, which he described as currently divided along ethnic and religious lines.
“Our number one commitment is to unite the Federal Republic of Nigeria because today we have no unity. We are divided along tribal and religious lines. That should not be. We are Nigerians,” he said.
On security, the former Anambra State governor said protecting lives and property remained the primary responsibility of government, promising decisive action against kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He said no Nigerian should live in fear of being killed or abducted, assuring families affected by insecurity that his administration would work to end the violence.
Obi particularly emphasised the plight of displaced persons, insisting that Nigerians forced out of their homes by violence must be safely resettled in their communities.
“If any Nigerian remains in an Internally Displaced Persons camp, we have failed. Once one Nigerian is in an IDP camp, the entire Nigeria is in an IDP camp. People must return to their homes,” he declared.
He also warned that kidnappers and other criminal groups would face a determined security response, saying his government would strengthen the country’s security architecture to prevent perpetrators from escaping justice.
Explaining his decision to engage communities before the formal commencement of election campaigns, Obi said leadership should be driven by the needs and expectations of citizens rather than political promises alone.
“When you want to serve, you must listen to the people. When we come for campaigns, we only talk and we don’t listen to the people. We have decided that leadership must be demand-driven,” he said.
He recalled his visits to Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Mangu and other conflict-affected communities in Plateau State, describing the experiences of victims of violence and displacement as unacceptable.
Obi said his presidential ambition was partly motivated by the suffering of displaced families, bereaved parents and other Nigerians affected by insecurity.
He questioned who would listen to the grievances of mothers who had lost their children and families whose loved ones had been killed in violent attacks.
On the 2027 general election, the NDC candidate urged Nigerians to take responsibility for protecting their votes, stressing the importance of active citizen participation in the electoral process.
