Peter Obi Visits Plateau Leaders, Raises Alarm on Insecurity

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, visited the Plateau State Traditional Council in Jos on Tuesday. He shared his worries about the rising insecurity in the state.

Mr Obi was welcomed by the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba. He said that Plateau State's security problems need urgent attention. He added that real development can't happen while people live in fear.

This visit was part of his campaign for the 2027 general elections. It came before a town hall meeting he held in the state.

The former governor of Anambra State said he came to hear from the people. He wants to understand their problems and find real solutions.

"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.

Mr Obi recalled his visits to troubled areas in Plateau, such as Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu. He described the security situation there as unacceptable.

He said his goal for the presidency is to help ease the suffering of Nigerians. This includes victims of violence, displaced people, and families who have 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?" he said.

He emphasized that people should be able to work without fear. Children should return home safely from school, farmers should come back from their farms, and traders should return from the markets.

Mr Obi also talked about poverty, high infant mortality rates, and the increasing number of out-of-school children. He believes investing in education, healthcare, and agriculture can help tackle these issues.

The Gbong Gwom Jos responded by urging politicians and Nigerians to ensure that political activities do not worsen the country’s security problems.

Mr Buba called for peaceful political engagement, mutual respect, and coexistence. He noted that Plateau and other areas are already facing 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," he said.

The traditional ruler also prayed for divine guidance in finding a leader who can govern Nigeria well and bring back its greatness.

He called on politicians to promote peace and avoid actions that could create more tension during the 2027 election period.