The former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, says his decision to seek the number one seat in Anambra State was born out of first-hand encounters with violence and insecurity in the southeastern state.
Obi, a former two-term governor of Anambra State, said “experiences of lawlessness are not new to me”, stressing that restoring public order and trust must remain the primary duty of those in government.
The former governor said this in reaction to the attack suffered alongside the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie‑Oyegun, and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin, the capital of Edo State, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Obi said the lawlessness he witnessed during his early political journey convinced him that leadership should be focused on protecting lives, rebuilding confidence in public institutions, and strengthening security structures.
He noted that the current wave of insecurity across Nigeria shows that the challenge of lawlessness has grown beyond individual states and now represents a national concern that requires collective action.
Citing the Greek philosopher, Plato, the former governor warned that when good people refuse to participate in government, society risks being ruled by those without the character and competence required to serve the public interest.
Gunmen attack Peter Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, ADC leaders in Edo
Obi stated: “Years ago, the violence and insecurity in Anambra shaped my determination to seek the governorship of the state, convinced that leadership must restore order, security, and public trust.
“Today, the growing lawlessness across our country calls upon all men and women of goodwill to step forward—not in fear but with a sense of responsibility. As Plato reminded us, the price good people pay for refusing to participate in government is to live under the rule of bad people.”
Obi thanked Nigerians for their prayers, calls, and messages of solidarity over the attack in Edo State, describing the support as a source of renewed hope and confidence in the country’s shared humanity.
He equally enjoined Nigerians to respond to the challenges facing the nation with a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that confronting insecurity and rebuilding public trust in Nigeria will depend on citizens stepping forward with courage and a clear commitment to responsible leadership.
“Together, with courage and unity, we can build the peaceful, secure, and prosperous Nigeria our people deserve,” Obi added.
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