Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said his administration would pursue life imprisonment for people convicted of importing hard drugs if he wins the 2027 presidential election.
Obi made the pledge while outlining his proposed approach to tackling drug trafficking and its effects on Nigerian society. The former Anambra State governor said his administration would adopt a firm position against the importation of substances such as cocaine and heroin.
The statement forms part of Obi’s broader campaign message on security, law enforcement and the need to address activities that expose young Nigerians to criminal networks and substance abuse.
Under existing Nigerian law, the unauthorised importation of cocaine, heroin, LSD and similar prohibited drugs already attracts a possible life-imprisonment sentence upon conviction. The law also provides different penalties for offences including trafficking, possession and dealing in such substances.
Obi’s proposal therefore raises questions about whether his intended policy would involve stricter enforcement of existing provisions, legislative changes or additional measures targeting drug traffickers and their networks.
The issue is significant because drug trafficking remains a major concern for Nigerian law-enforcement agencies. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has continued to report arrests, prosecutions and convictions involving drug traffickers across the country.
The agency said it secured 974 convictions between January and March 2026, including cases involving major drug traffickers. It also reported that 11 convicted drug kingpins received a combined 254 years in prison during the period.
Obi has also placed security and public safety among the issues in his 2027 campaign agenda. In a recent policy statement, he called for improved intelligence gathering, stronger policing and border management, and greater use of technology to address insecurity.
The drug-policy pledge is expected to form part of the wider debate over how presidential candidates intend to address drug trafficking, addiction, border security and law enforcement ahead of the 2027 election.
Any proposed changes to criminal penalties would ultimately have to operate within Nigeria’s constitutional and legislative framework.
