By Chimezie Godfrey
The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to dialogue and inclusion as tools for fostering national unity, saying he would engage all aggrieved groups across the country if elected president.
According to Ibrahim Umar, spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Obi made the remarks during an engagement with Nigerians in Washington, United States, where he was asked about his strategy for unifying the country.
Umar quoted Obi as saying: “I will listen to all agitators, harmonise them and make some sacrifices with a view to bringing the country together.”
He explained that Obi’s comments have been misconstrued by some individuals who isolated references to separatist figures such as Nnamdi Kanu and linked them to ethnic agendas.
According to the POMR spokesman, Obi’s position represents a departure from what he described as the conventional “iron-fisted approach” to national security and cohesion.
“For decades, Nigeria has leaned heavily on military and security interventions to suppress regional grievances, whether in the Southeast, the Niger Delta, the Middle Belt or the North,” Umar stated.
He argued that Obi’s philosophy sees agitation as a symptom of deeper socio-economic and political challenges rather than merely a security threat.
“By shifting the strategy from active combat to active listening, Obi plans to treat agitators not just as security threats but as citizens with grievances — many of which stem from economic marginalisation, perceived injustice, and institutional neglect,” he said.
The statement further noted that genuine national unity must be built on justice, inclusion and equitable development.
According to Umar, many regional agitations are driven by poverty, youth unemployment and uneven development, while feelings of exclusion from federal power structures often fuel unrest.
He added that structured dialogue would help restore confidence in democratic institutions and demonstrate government’s commitment to civic engagement.
Quoting a popular maxim, the statement said: “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”
The POMR spokesman maintained that Obi’s approach acknowledges the limitations of force in resolving national grievances.
“For a multi-ethnic, multi-religious state like Nigeria, unity cannot be enforced by decree. It must be negotiated through shared prosperity, fairness, and mutual respect. A New Nigeria is Possible,” he stated.
Obi: I’ll Listen to Agitators, Make Sacrifices for Nigeria’s Unity
