Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to introduce tougher measures against the importation of hard drugs into Nigeria if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Obi made the declaration on Saturday, September 19, 2026, during a town hall meeting with NDC members and supporters in Kaduna State, where he spoke about drug trafficking, youth vulnerability and the responsibilities of political leaders.
The former Anambra State governor said anyone involved in importing hard drugs into the country would face life imprisonment under his administration, irrespective of the person’s social or political status.
“If I assume office as President of Nigeria, anybody importing hard drugs will face a life sentence. Our youths have died a lot because of hard drugs,” Obi said.
The statement represents a campaign commitment by Obi as he seeks to lead the NDC into the 2027 presidential election.
He linked the proposed tougher approach to concerns about the effects of illicit drugs on young Nigerians, arguing that the country needs stronger measures to prevent dangerous substances from entering communities.
Obi’s comments came against the background of ongoing operations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which has continued to report large seizures of tramadol, cannabis, cocaine and other controlled substances across the country.
The NDLEA has also intensified its enforcement activities at seaports, airports, highways and other entry points as part of efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
However, Obi’s proposed policy would operate within Nigeria’s existing constitutional and legislative framework. A presidential declaration by itself cannot create a new criminal offence or alter statutory penalties. Any significant change to existing punishments would require the appropriate legislative process, while sentences would remain subject to judicial proceedings.
Nigeria’s current drug laws already prescribe severe penalties for certain forms of drug trafficking and importation. Reports on the existing legal framework indicate that life imprisonment is already prescribed for specified offences involving substances such as cocaine, heroin and LSD.
The distinction, therefore, would be whether Obi’s proposed policy would extend life imprisonment to a broader category of drug importation offences or strengthen enforcement of penalties already contained in existing legislation.
The issue of tougher punishment for drug offences has previously generated legislative discussions in Nigeria. Proposals have been made within the National Assembly to increase penalties for serious drug offences, reflecting continuing concerns about the scale of drug trafficking and its consequences.
Beyond his position on drug trafficking, Obi used the Kaduna engagement to call on politicians to make campaign promises that could realistically be implemented if they eventually assume office.
He urged political parties and their candidates to engage directly with Nigerians and focus their campaigns on the problems confronting citizens rather than making commitments that may prove difficult to fulfil.
The NDC candidate also spoke about the need for political leaders to maintain closer contact with the people.
Obi said that, if elected president, he would spend his annual holidays in Nigeria rather than travelling abroad. He explained that the president should use such periods to visit different parts of the country and interact with communities, particularly those facing insecurity and other serious challenges.
The pledge on drug importation comes as the 2027 political contest gradually takes shape, with parties and candidates beginning to outline policy positions and campaign messages ahead of the election.
For Obi, the Kaduna declaration places drug control within a broader discussion about protecting young Nigerians and strengthening enforcement against criminal networks involved in the movement of illicit substances.
The proposal also raises questions about implementation, including which substances would be classified as “hard drugs,” how existing laws would be amended or applied, and what additional resources would be required by agencies responsible for drug interdiction, investigation and prosecution.
The NDLEA remains the principal federal agency responsible for combating illicit drug trafficking and related offences, while prosecutions are handled through the established criminal justice system.
As the 2027 campaign progresses, further details from Obi and the NDC will be required to clarify how the proposed life-sentence policy would interact with existing drug laws and the broader strategy for tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse.
For now, the Kaduna declaration remains a campaign pledge by the NDC presidential candidate, reflecting his stated intention to pursue a stricter approach to the importation of illicit drugs if elected president.
