ABUJA, Nigeria — Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has declared that he would negotiate with bandits and other violent groups if they are genuinely willing to embrace peace, while also vowing to take the fight to those who choose violence over dialogue.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni, where he was asked whether he would negotiate with bandits if elected president in the 2027 general election. His response has sparked intense debate across political and security circles, with some hailing his openness to dialogue while others questioned the wisdom of negotiating with criminals.
According to the former Anambra State governor, addressing insecurity requires a nuanced approach that combines military force with strategic engagement. He argued that not all bandits are irredeemable criminals, and some may be willing to lay down their arms if offered viable alternatives, including amnesty, rehabilitation, and economic empowerment.
Obi stressed that his administration would prioritise intelligence-driven operations to identify those who are truly committed to violence. He said that while he would extend a hand of fellowship to those ready to embrace peace, he would not hesitate to deploy the full might of the state against those who refuse to renounce criminality.
The NDC presidential candidate also criticised the current administration’s approach to insecurity, describing it as reactive and lacking a coherent strategy. He accused the government of treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of banditry, including poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.
Obi further argued that negotiation does not mean surrender or weakness. He pointed to successful examples of dialogue with insurgents in other countries, including Colombia’s peace process with FARC rebels and South Africa’s transition from apartheid, as evidence that dialogue can yield lasting peace when pursued with sincerity and political will.
The former governor also addressed concerns that negotiating with bandits could encourage more criminality. He maintained that any peace initiative would be accompanied by strict conditions, including the surrender of weapons, the release of hostages, and a commitment to reintegration programmes. Those who fail to meet these conditions, he said, would face the full force of the law.
Obi’s comments come amid growing insecurity across Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions, where bandits have carried out mass abductions, cattle rustling, and village raids with near-impunity. The federal government has maintained a military-centric approach, launching several operations aimed at flushing out bandits from their hideouts.
Reactions to Obi’s remarks have been mixed. Some Nigerians have expressed support for his openness to dialogue, arguing that the military approach has not yielded significant results after years of sustained operations. Others, however, have warned that negotiating with bandits would legitimise criminality and embolden other violent groups.
Security analysts have noted that while dialogue can be a useful tool, it must be part of a broader strategy that includes addressing the socio-economic drivers of insecurity. They have also stressed the importance of community engagement and intelligence gathering in any peace initiative.
The NDC presidential candidate’s stance on negotiation is likely to feature prominently in his campaign as the 2027 election approaches. For now, Obi has positioned himself as a leader willing to explore all options to restore peace to Nigeria, even as his critics question the feasibility and wisdom of his approach.
