Former vice-presidential candidate Peter Obi has said that Nigeria must make security top priority if investments must come in.
The former Anambra State governor told reporters on Monday at Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri that 2021 was difficult for Nigerians in all ramifications.
Mr Obi said that from the benefit of hindsight, the most serious problem militating against the progress of the country was the issue of insecurity and that for the country to move on, the security of lives and property should be priority.
He said: “Security of lives and property must be a priority for the country to move forward. With security, investments will flow into the country and citizens will also have the confidence to invest in the country. Until the people are secured, they will not think of other meaningful things to do.”
Obi added that for the country to move on, especially now that general elections are approaching, Nigerians must resolve to choose good leaders for the country.
“I am talking of leaders with verifiable antecedents and whose character and disposition are beyond reproach,” he said.
Speaking further, Obi said he watched the Arise TV programme of New Year Day and was struck by two critical things that Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai said about Nigeria, namely, the need to restore security and need to ensure that competent persons were elected.
“It was truthful of El-Rufai to have admitted that if security was guaranteed, that Kaduna State would have done better than she is doing presently. He did also mention that Nigeria is in a critical junction that need good leadership to salvage her,” he said.
Obi, however, commended President Muhammandu Buhari on his recent visit to Maiduguri, Borno State amid ISWAP bombing. He said that such visits always boost the morale of soldiers and reassure the people of his commitment to security.
