Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to tackle insecurity, corruption and disunity if elected president, promising a tougher approach to kidnapping and attacks on schoolchildren.

Obi made the pledge during a town hall meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, where he outlined his priorities on national security, education, healthcare and citizens’ welfare.

He said Nigeria’s divisions had weakened the country’s ability to confront its security challenges, stressing that national unity was necessary to restore stability and development.

“Our commitment is to unite Nigeria. Nigeria today is not united. If we unite Nigeria today, we will have the strength to fight insecurity,” he said.

On security, the former Anambra State governor vowed that his administration would pursue kidnappers and other criminal elements into their hideouts, particularly those responsible for abducting schoolchildren.

“Anybody that kidnaps schoolchildren and goes into the bush, we will be in that bush with him, wherever it is. We are not scared of him,” he said.

Obi also promised to confront corruption, insisting that public resources must be deployed for the benefit of citizens rather than diverted for personal enrichment.

“We will fight corruption head-on. We want people to stop stealing public money. Public money must be used for public good and for the welfare of the people,” he said.

He identified education and healthcare as critical sectors that would receive greater attention under his administration, describing investment in both as essential to national development.

The NDC candidate further described his political platform as an alternative approach to governance, anchored on shared responsibility and improved service delivery.

“We represent a new Nigeria that is possible. We represent a governance that people have not seen in Nigeria before,” he said.

Explaining the purpose of the town hall meeting, Obi said it was designed to give residents an opportunity to engage with him directly, ask questions and express their concerns without restrictions.

“The style is to listen to you. You are free to ask any question. No restriction. Make any comment. That is why we are here,” he said.

The meeting was, however, preceded by a security incident, as hoodlums reportedly attacked the convoy of the presidential candidate while it was heading to the venue.

A 27-year-old man suspected to be among the attackers was subsequently arrested by the police.