Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised Nigeria’s political leaders for allegedly focusing more on the next election rather than addressing the worsening insecurity across the country.
Obi made the remarks in a statement released on Monday through his official social media account, where he expressed concern over a series of recent attacks affecting both civilians and security personnel.
According to him, Nigeria is “clearly under siege,” warning that the scale of insecurity has become increasingly unbearable and is spreading across many parts of the country.
“Our nation is clearly under siege, and the scale of insecurity is becoming unbearable, spreading widely all over the country,” he said.
Obi cited the recent attack on Ngoshe community in Borno State, where terrorists reportedly overpowered soldiers, killing several of them along with residents, while abducting women and children.
“This week alone in Borno State’s Ngoshe community, terrorists overpowered soldiers, killing them and several citizens, while abducting more than 100 women and children, yet our leaders are silent,” Obi stated.
He also lamented that the sacrifices made by security personnel often go unrecognised.
“The sacrifice of our brave and dedicated soldiers is passed in silence. I look forward to the day when our fallen soldiers are given the dignified burials they deserve, with their bodies received and honoured by the nation’s leaders and political authorities,” he added.
The former governor of Anambra State further highlighted reports of insecurity in other parts of the country, including Nasarawa State, Kogi State and Benue State, where he said residents had complained that terrorists were occupying farms and forests, disrupting livelihoods and forcing villagers to flee.
“In Nasarawa’s Kadarko area alone, 14,318 civilians are now registered as internally displaced persons,” he said.
Obi also mentioned cases of abductions and attacks in Oyo State and Ondo State, as well as deadly incidents in Kebbi State involving terrorists targeting both civilians and security personnel.
He further expressed concern that insecurity had reached the nation’s capital, referencing a recent abduction incident in Kubwa, located in Abuja.
“The wave of terror has now brazenly crept into our nation’s capital. The attack in Kubwa, Abuja, just this week saw about 19 citizens abducted from their homes, including women and children,” Obi said, describing the development as a grim reminder that insecurity is no longer distant but increasingly common.
He accused the political class of paying insufficient attention to the security crisis.
“The ruling class are instead devastatingly more preoccupied with how to snatch, grab, and run away with the next election,” he said, adding that Nigerians deserve leadership that prioritises safety and welfare.
“These are not just news items. Nigerians deserve commitment and leadership that puts their safety and welfare first. It is time to restore security, dignity, and hope to every corner of this nation,” Obi added.