Obi vows to “enter the bush” with Nigerians if elected and children are kidnapped

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has vowed to personally join efforts to rescue kidnapped Nigerians if elected president in 2027, saying he would not stay in office while citizens are abducted by criminals, Sahara Reporters reports.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Enugu State on Thursday, Obi criticised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and said Nigeria needs a president who is physically active and willing to engage directly with citizens. “If there is a general bush, I will be in that bush with them,” he said.

He added: “I will not be president and somebody will kidnap our children; we will enter the bush together.”

Obi, a former Anambra State governor, spoke during a nationwide tour that has taken him to Ondo, Ekiti and Ebonyi states. “Today, our country is suffering. Today, people are hungry. Our children do not have employment. Today, Nigeria is not secured,” he said.

He challenged Tinubu to campaign across the country and account for his three years in office. “Our President has travelled out of this country over 350 times. And now we are asking him, please spend at least 36 days and go round Nigeria and tell them what he has been doing for the past three years,” he said.

Obi also questioned what the government used nearly $100 billion in borrowed funds for. “You must come and tell us where is our money,” he said.

He pledged to declare states of emergency on corruption, education and electricity if elected, and to generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of power. He said: “Don’t vote for me, because I’m an Igbo man. Please, I’m asking for your vote because I’m the most qualified to be President of Nigeria.”