‘You Don’t Negotiate With Terrorists’ – Analyst Faults Obi, Kwankwaso’s Position On Insecurity

A Kano-based political analyst, Kabiru Ojo, has criticised recent remarks by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on engaging terrorists and other violent groups in dialogue, arguing that lasting peace can only be achieved through decisive military action.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Post, Ojo said negotiating with terrorist groups would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, insisting that criminal organisations should be defeated rather than engaged in peace talks.

His comments followed recent statements by Kwankwaso, who said communities affected by insecurity often possess valuable intelligence about criminal groups but are reluctant to cooperate with security agencies because they lack confidence that informants will be adequately protected.

Kwankwaso also said an NDC administration would consider dialogue with terrorists and other criminal groups as part of efforts to restore peace.

Earlier in June, Obi similarly stated that he would be willing to negotiate with bandits and other violent groups if they genuinely renounced violence and were prepared to participate in rebuilding the country.

The proposal has continued to generate mixed reactions, with supporters describing dialogue as one possible pathway to peace, while critics argue it could encourage criminality.

Ojo dismissed the proposal, saying it reflected what he described as a lack of a comprehensive security strategy.

“The idea of sitting down with terrorists and other criminals to discourage them from violence is just politics. It shows they do not have a concrete plan to solve the country’s security problems. Negotiating with people who have killed thousands of innocent Nigerians, destroyed communities and displaced families amounts to failure,” he said.

According to the analyst, terrorist groups should not be rewarded with negotiations because, in his view, they are not pursuing legitimate political grievances.

“You don’t negotiate with terrorists. This is not an imaginary situation; it is a real crisis affecting the nation. The government should strengthen its security architecture, confront them and overpower them. The best way to achieve peace is to prepare for war,” he added.

Ojo distinguished the security situation from the Niger Delta amnesty programme introduced under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, arguing that the militants’ demands at the time differed from the objectives of insurgent groups such as Boko Haram.

He said Yar’Adua addressed what he described as the grievances of Niger Delta militants through dialogue but simultaneously directed security agencies to confront Boko Haram when the insurgent group first emerged.

According to Ojo, Boko Haram’s objective of replacing the Nigerian state with its own ideology makes negotiations impractical.

“They want to replace the Nigerian state with their own ideology. You cannot bargain with people who reject the authority of the state. They should be confronted until they are forced to abandon violence,” he said.

The analyst further argued that terrorist groups are more likely to seek peace only after suffering significant military setbacks.

Comparing the security proposals of Nigeria’s major presidential contenders, Ojo said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had offered what he considers more practical ideas, including setting performance targets for security chiefs, replacing those who fail to deliver results, and increasing the country’s security workforce.

He also supported calls for recruiting more security personnel, arguing that Nigeria’s existing security agencies are overstretched for a population of more than 200 million people.

“If we strengthen our security architecture, eliminate the terrorists and improve the welfare of security personnel, peace will return. You don’t negotiate for peace with terrorists; you fight for peace,” he said.

Ojo concluded by arguing that the security proposals put forward by the NDC candidates do not provide a convincing solution to Nigeria’s insecurity.