Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to either resign or abandon any plans to seek re-election in 2027, citing the worsening insecurity across the country.

In a statement released on Monday, Obi expressed concern over the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State more than 50 days ago.

Following a visit to Governor Seyi Makinde, he said the prolonged delay in rescuing the victims reflects a failure of leadership and governance.

The former Anambra governor revealed that he was surprised to learn that President Tinubu had allegedly not contacted Makinde over the abduction.

Obi said previous presidents, including Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, regularly reached out to state governors during major security crises.

The ultimate cost of uncompassionate leadership, as evident in the country today, is turning citizens’ frustration into deep, volatile resentment.

“It is even more traumatising when the leader presiding over that collapse demonstrates clear incapacity and a lack of compassion.

“The government and people of Oyo State, more than 50 days after the abduction of the schoolchildren without any tangible effort toward their rescue, should rightly feel bitter and abandoned.” Obi said.

Drawing a comparison with the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, Obi noted that Tinubu was among those who criticised Jonathan’s handling of the incident, He argued that several school kidnappings have occurred under the current administration, yet there has been little visible presidential engagement.

According to Obi, the continued abductions and insecurity across the country demonstrate a lack of capacity and compassion on the part of the Federal Government.

He insisted that, in the interest of Nigerians, Tinubu should either step down or shelve any ambition of seeking a second term in office.