By Our Correspondent
The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has made a sharp reversal of his previous position on national security, now vowing to declare “total war” on terrorists, the same groups he had consistently advocated for dialogue with during his campaign two years ago.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Monday, Obi abandoned his long-held stance that the Federal Government should negotiate with bandits and insurgents, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose designation as a terrorist organisation he had previously challenged.
“No nation will lose about 10 of its senior officers without a response. I will declare war on the terrorists. There is nothing like negotiation,” Obi said.
The comment marks a dramatic departure from his position throughout the 2023 presidential campaign and debates, where he repeatedly criticised the government’s military approach and insisted on dialogue.
During the 2023 electioneering, Obi had blamed the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari for refusing to talk to IPOB and other insurgent groups, arguing that negotiation was the only path to peace. He maintained that the government had mischaracterised IPOB and that political solutions — not military force — were required.
But on Monday, Obi cited his record as Anambra State governor to justify his new hardline position, claiming that decisive military action had worked under his watch.
“I had to come here and tell President Obasanjo, this is what I want to do and you must allow me to do it,” Obi said, referring to his approach to security while in office.
He named former army commander Jarrell Enenche and the late security officials John Haruna and Commissioner Bello as witnesses to the effectiveness of his strategy.
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