Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, issued a stern public warning to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that the nation’s escalating crisis of mass killings and kidnappings cannot be sustained.
In a statement delivered on Tuesday, Mr. Obi condemned recent violent incidents across several states, highlighting the dire state of national security and a fundamental breakdown in public trust.
He cited a series of “heartbreaking tragedies” in Sokoto, Adamawa, and Anambra, which included “the killing of innocent worshippers,” the “deaths of seven peaceful women protesters in Adamawa,” and continuous “attacks by bandits in Sokoto.”
The former governor of Anambra State stressed that the pervasive insecurity is threatening Nigeria’s very foundation.
“Nigeria cannot continue like this,” Mr. Obi stated, demanding a shift in governance priorities. “We need leadership that prioritises the protection of every Nigerian life, regardless of region, religion, gender, or social status, and we deserve leaders who would provide justice for innocent citizens who are facing these calamities every day.”
Mr. Obi also argued that beyond the security forces, the root causes of instability must be addressed, pointing to endemic social and economic failures.
“But beyond security, we must also address the deeper roots of instability, poverty, unemployment, weak institutions, and lack of opportunities,” he warned.
He concluded by stressing that without security—the “foundation upon which every other aspect of national development rests”—critical institutions like schools and businesses cannot thrive, and citizens cannot live with dignity.
