Former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), visited the Plateau State Traditional Council in Jos on Tuesday. During the visit, he voiced deep concern over the security challenges facing the state, warning that meaningful development would remain elusive as long as citizens continued to live in fear.
The former governor was received by Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba, who urged politicians and Nigerians to ensure that political activities did not worsen the country's already fragile security situation. Mr Buba called for peaceful political engagement, mutual respect and coexistence, noting that Plateau and other parts of the country were already grappling with insecurity.
"We want to appeal to all politicians and all Nigerians that we should not allow politics to worsen our situation. We already have insecurity, and we must be determined to live with each other in peace and with respect for one another," Mr Buba said.
The traditional ruler also prayed for divine guidance in the emergence of a leader capable of governing Nigeria effectively and restoring its greatness, and urged politicians to promote peace during the 2027 electioneering period.
Mr Obi said he embarked on the consultations to listen to citizens, understand their challenges and identify practical solutions. He noted that when politicians come for campaigns, they often only talk without listening to the people, and that leadership must be demand-driven.
"When you want to serve, you must listen to the people. When we come for campaigns, we only talk, and we don't listen to the people. We have decided that leadership must be demand-driven," he said.
He recalled his visits to troubled communities in Plateau, including Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu, describing the security situation as unacceptable. His presidential ambition, he said, was driven by the need to address the suffering of Nigerians, particularly victims of violence, displaced persons and families who had lost loved ones.
"If I have one person in an IDP camp, it means we are all in an IDP camp. I am competing because I want to know how we talk to that mother whose child was killed, that husband who lost a wife and that woman who lost a husband. Who is going to listen to their cries?"
Obi stressed that residents should be able to pursue their livelihoods without fear, saying children must return safely from school, farmers from their farms and traders from the markets.
He also expressed concern over poverty, infant mortality and the growing number of out-of-school children, arguing that investments in education, healthcare and agriculture could help address the challenges.
The visit was part of Mr Obi's campaign activities for the 2027 general elections and preceded a town hall meeting in the state.
"If I have one person in an IDP camp, it means we are all in an IDP camp. I am competing because I want to know how we talk to that mother whose child was killed, that husband who lost a wife and that woman who lost a husband. Who is going to listen to their cries?"