The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said he intends to prioritise the development of northern Nigeria, describing the region as the nation’s most valuable resource.
Speaking during an interview on a television programme, Obi noted that the north possesses vast economic potential, especially in agriculture, which he believes could surpass oil revenue if properly developed.
“Our greatest asset is in the north. The vast uncultivated land in the north is our future. We can make more money as a country from agriculture than we make from oil, and we must begin to do that immediately,” he said.
Obi also stated that he is willing to collaborate with key northern political figures, including former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“I will work with them, but I can tell you that nobody can build what I intend to build in the north,” he added.
Addressing insecurity, the former Anambra State governor said the issue can only be resolved by tackling poverty and governance challenges in the region.
“If we want to secure the north today, we need to start investing in critical areas of agriculture, pull people out of poverty, and invest in education and health. That is what we must do,” he said.
He further linked the current insecurity to years of poor leadership, stressing the need for decisive action.
“Insecurity we see today is caused by erosion of governance, erosion of values, and abandoning the youths. It is the cumulative effect of leadership failure over the years,” he said.
Obi emphasised that Nigeria must adopt a stronger approach to security challenges.
“We have reached a stage where we have to be very decisive. It is no longer an issue of negotiation,” he said.
“No nation will lose about 10 of its senior officers and not declare war. I will declare war.”
He added that he has been studying development strategies in other countries to better understand how to unlock the region’s potential.
“I have taken time to visit different countries to see first-hand what they are doing, and I see that future in the north,” he said.