By Caleb Ayemere
In an exclusive interview on Arise News on Thursday, September 10, 2026, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi outlined key priorities for his 2027 campaign, including robust measures to safeguard votes and a sharper focus on domestic security challenges.
Speaking during the live interview on Arise News, Obi reaffirmed a core commitment drawn from his consistent criticism of leaders who prioritise foreign trips: as President, he would not take his holidays in other countries, instead remaining present in Nigeria to address its crises and promote local tourism.
Obi placed strong emphasis on electoral integrity. “We must make sure that every polling unit, the votes are counted, the votes are recorded properly, the votes are transmitted properly. And we will have even a dual transmission, so that as it’s going to the proper designated INEC portal, it’s also being transmitted where the people can see it,” he declared.
He explained that his team would deploy an independent system so results from every polling unit reach their situation room directly. “All we are saying is that this time around, we will make sure that in every polling unit, we must have a system that transmits to our situation room the correct results.”
This, Obi stressed, would eliminate situations where announced figures do not match what was recorded at the grassroots. “And I’m sure there’s so many other agencies that intend to do the same thing. So we’re not going to have a situation where somebody just pronounces something that didn’t emanate from the polling unit.”
Turning to insecurity, particularly kidnappings and ransom demands, Obi questioned the effectiveness of existing technology. “In today’s world, you can know where people are,” he said.
He challenged the current use of surveillance resources. “Today, the government knows where I am. All those equipments they’re using to focus on opponents. Should we focus on criminals?”
Obi made clear his administration would redirect that attention. “I’m not going to follow any opponents. I don’t care where they are. I don’t care what they do. It’s not my business. I’m going to focus it where it is.”
He described the continued wave of abductions as a clear sign of systemic failure. “I don’t know who, but there’s something wrong. Not in today’s world. Because we’re serious. It’s happening to everybody. It’s happening every day. So, there’s something wrong.”
Obi’s insistence on staying in Nigeria during holidays builds on his recent public criticisms of frequent presidential foreign trips. He has repeatedly argued that leadership requires presence at home when citizens face poverty, hunger, and insecurity, and that no holiday abroad should take precedence over the lives of Nigerians.
He has urged successive leaders to set an example by vacationing in places such as Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Cross River, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Kebbi, Yobe or Plateau, thereby marketing Nigeria as a tourism destination and creating jobs across hospitality, transport and related sectors.
Clarifying an earlier remark made in Port Harcourt, Obi said his statement that he was “ready to die” for his vote was symbolic. “What I did in Port Harcourt was more of listening to the people. It wasn’t me talking; they were asking questions and one of them said, ‘We are prepared to die this time to defend our votes,’ and to encourage them, I said I’m prepared to die with them. It’s symbolic and what we are saying is that we are prepared to ensure that our votes count and they must count.”
The interview comes amid heightened political activity, including recent disruptions to Obi’s movements in Benue State. His NDC ticket with running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso continues to campaign on credible elections, security reform, reduced cost of governance, and accountable leadership that keeps Nigeria’s challenges and its leaders firmly on Nigerian soil.
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