Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress(NDC) Peter Obi has rejected a claim that he asked Nigerian soldiers to turn down salary increases until after the 2027 elections, but his response has opened a wider window into what could become a major plank of his campaign — a fundamental overhaul of the way Nigeria treats its military and security forces.

Obi, in a statement made available on Tuesday, described the report as false, insisting that he has never advocated withholding improved remuneration from soldiers.

Rather, he said, his concern has consistently been that Nigerian troops are being asked to defend the country under difficult conditions without adequate equipment, motivation and protection.

“I never said military should reject salary increase,” Obi said, urging Nigerians to disregard the report.

But the former Anambra State governor did not stop at denying the allegation.

He used the controversy to place the welfare and survival of Nigerian soldiers at the centre of his political message ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Obi pointed specifically to the loss of soldiers to insurgents during what he described as a delayed rescue operation, questioning why personnel defending the nation could themselves be left exposed when they urgently needed assistance.

That incident, he said, reinforced his conviction that military welfare must be treated as a national-security priority rather than a peripheral issue.

“Those who ensure Nigeria’s security must never be relegated to a secondary concern,” Obi said.

He promised that, if elected President, the welfare, resources, safety and honour of military personnel would receive priority attention.

His proposed approach, as outlined in the statement, centres on better support for troops, adequate resources and equipment, stronger protection for personnel and a government willing to stand firmly behind servicemen and women operating in dangerous theatres.

Obi also drew attention to what he described as an unacceptable scenario in which soldiers are left unprotected while confronting terrorists and insurgents.

“Under my leadership, scenarios where our servicemen and women are left unprotected in the face of peril will be eradicated,” he said.

The intervention could prove significant as security is expected to rank among the defining issues of the 2027 presidential contest.

Beyond the immediate controversy over the alleged salary comment, Obi’s statement appears designed to establish a broader political argument: that Nigeria cannot defeat terrorism and insecurity without first strengthening the personnel expected to confront them.

The former governor also sought to distance himself from what he described as politically motivated misinformation, warning Nigerians against accepting unverified statements attributed to political figures as the 2027 contest intensifies.

He stressed that his respect for the armed forces remains unwavering.

“My profound respect for our security forces, particularly the Nigerian Army personnel who diligently serve and protect our nation under challenging conditions, is unwavering,” he said.

Obi maintained that his position has always been that soldiers deserve adequate equipment, motivation, protection and institutional support.

The controversy therefore comes with a wider political implication. With the 2027 election approaching, Obi is seeking to turn a disputed statement into an opportunity to define his position on one of Nigeria’s most urgent challenges — how to equip, protect and motivate the men and women fighting the country’s wars.

He urged Nigerians to reject the report alleging that he opposed salary increases for soldiers and instead judge his position by his stated commitment to military welfare and national security.

“The realisation of a new and secure Nigeria is indeed possible,” Obi said.