Former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has vowed to adopt a hardline approach against terrorism, insisting that he would declare war on terrorists rather than negotiate with them if elected president.

Obi stated this on Monday during an interview, where he addressed Nigeria’s worsening security situation.

The former governor’s comments came amid renewed concerns over insecurity, following the killing of Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah and several soldiers in a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Benisheikh, Borno State.

Condemning the incident, Obi said such attacks on senior military officers demand immediate and decisive action.

“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,” he said.

Obi argued that his approach to security as governor of Anambra State provides a workable template for tackling insecurity nationwide.

He recalled how he sought and obtained the backing of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to implement decisive security measures during his tenure.

“I had to come here and tell President Obasanjo, this is what I want to do and you must allow me to do it,” he said.

According to him, the strategy yielded measurable results, which were acknowledged by top security officials at the time.

Obi listed notable figures, including former army commander Jarrell Enenche and late security officials John Haruna and Commissioner Bello, as witnesses to the effectiveness of his security approach.

He also cited a former Inspector-General of Police as confirming the success of the strategy.

“The IG, Abubakar, came and said for five years, we have not had issue of major robbery or kidnapping in Anambra State,” he added.

Despite advocating the use of force, Obi stressed that military action alone would not solve Nigeria’s security challenges.

He attributed the current crisis to years of poor governance and systemic neglect.

“What you are seeing today is the cumulative effect of leadership failure over the years, erosion of governance, erosion of values, abandoning the youth, education, social trust, everything,” Peter Obi said.

The former presidential candidate outlined a dual approach to tackling insecurity, combining immediate enforcement measures with long-term institutional reforms.

“You start building while you are pushing. You bring governance, justice, people are punished if they do the wrong thing,” he said.

Obi also spoke on the need for broad political collaboration, naming northern political figures such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso among those he would work with.

He emphasised his intention to be actively involved in addressing insecurity in the region, stating that he would “be in the north.”

Reaffirming his leadership style, Obi pledged to take a hands-on approach in governance and security management.

“I am not going to lead from the back. People will see, they will feel it,” he said.

He maintained that visible and decisive leadership would be critical in restoring confidence and ensuring safety across the country.