I’m open to peace talks with bandits, but will confront those who choose violence – Peter Obi

Peter Obi says he would be willing to engage in dialogue with armed groups if they are genuinely ready to abandon violence and embrace peace, while promising a firm response to those who persist in attacks.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) made the remarks during an interview on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni, where he was asked whether he would consider negotiating with bandits if elected president.

Obi said his administration would prioritise national unity and inclusiveness, stressing that any group willing to lay down arms and contribute to rebuilding the country would be given a chance to reintegrate.

“In uniting the country, anybody who wants peace, I will talk with him; I will negotiate with him,” he said. “Anybody who wants war, we will go to war.”

He added that individuals who had previously engaged in wrongdoing should not be permanently excluded from society if they show genuine remorse and commitment to change.

To support his point, Obi referenced a visit to a U.S. university where, according to him, several senior officials—including professors and administrators—had once served prison sentences before rebuilding their lives.

“I once visited a university in America where the entire faculty are people who came out of prison,” he said. “From the dean to the registrar, professors spent years in prison for one offence or the other.”

Obi maintained that his governance approach would focus on inclusion, national cohesion, and ensuring that no ethnic group or region is sidelined.

“I will unite the country and secure that nobody is left behind. No tribe is left behind; there would be inclusiveness,” he said. “We will show love and care for everybody.”