*Former Anambra State governor declares willingness to give his life for his country during tense TV interview
*2027 presidential hopeful says leadership demands ultimate sacrifice as security crisis deepens
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has declared he is prepared to die for Nigeria, insisting that genuine leadership requires the ultimate sacrifice amid the country’s escalating security nightmare.
In a fiery episode of the Black Box interview on Nevon HQ with journalist Rufai Oseni, aired on Tuesday, Obi was pressed on how he would tackle the kidnappings of schoolchildren, the beheading of teachers, and the killing of senior military officers as Commander-in-Chief.
While avoiding specific operational details, Obi fired back: “Commitment solves the problem for everybody.”
The former governor recounted how his administration drove notorious kidnappers out of Anambra, citing a captured criminal named Vance who admitted operations became impossible under Obi’s watch.
“It’s one government. It’s either I’m in charge or they’re in charge. One person must be in charge.”
Obi then dropped his most striking line:
“We declare war. If you’re ready to lead, you must be ready to die. If you’re not ready to die, go home.”
When Oseni directly asked if he was ready to die for Nigeria, Obi didn’t flinch: “Yes.”
He added: “Tomorrow. If I’m outside this country and there’s war, I’ll come back. I’m a Nigerian. I’ve never had any reason to have any country’s passport… God created me a Nigerian. And I’m ready to die here.”
The grim backdrop
Obi’s tough talk comes as Nigeria reels from a wave of atrocities:
· May 2026: 40 students and teachers abducted in Oyo State’s Orire LGA. One teacher killed on the spot, another beheaded in captivity, others still missing.
· May 30, 2026: Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife kidnapped in Katsina State. The general was later confirmed dead; his wife was rescued days later.
The former governor lamented how non-state actors now challenge state authority across the country.
He recalled Nigeria’s proud military troops were once keeping peace in Liberia, Sudan, and Kuwait and expressed confidence that committed leadership could restore that glory.
Obi dismissed the need for detailed blueprints, arguing that the fundamental issue is willingness to confront insecurity head-on.
