ABUJA – In a high-stakes appeal to the Northern electorate, African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader Peter Obi has declared that his presidency would be a cause for celebration in Northern Nigeria, promising to dismantle the “hydra-headed monster” of insecurity currently ravaging the region.
Speaking on his vision for a unified Nigeria, the former Anambra State Governor urged citizens to abandon the traditional voting patterns of ethnic and religious sentiment that have historically dominated the nation’s polls.
“We’ve voted tribe and religion; now it’s time to vote competence,” Obi asserted. “If elected, the North will celebrate my Presidency. I will end insecurity in Nigeria.”
Unlocking Northern Potential
Obi positioned the 19 Northern states as Nigeria’s “greatest untapped asset,” arguing that the region’s vast arable land is the key to national food security and economic recovery. He maintained that the only barrier to this prosperity is the persistent “criminality” that has driven farmers off their lands and crippled local trade.
“I have an idea of the problem,” Obi stated, expressing confidence that his administration would provide the decisive leadership needed to restore peace.
A Call for Urgent Action
The presidential hopeful’s remarks come amidst a surge in mass abductions across the North, including the recent kidnapping of over 150 worshippers in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna State. Obi has been a vocal critic of the Federal Government’s response to these crises, recently tasking the authorities to treat human lives as sacred and declaring that leadership is about “presence and action” when the people are hurting.
Political analysts note that Obi’s strategy involves addressing the North’s specific fears, including a reported one-term pledge to ensure power returns to the region by 2031. By framing himself as the “Security President,” Obi hopes to bridge the geopolitical divide and build a cross-regional coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Will Obi’s “competence over tribe” message resonate with a Northern voting bloc that is increasingly vocal about its security concerns?
