Former presidential candidate and Labour Party stalwart, Peter Obi, has fiercely criticized Nigeria’s political class, accusing the nation’s leaders of ignoring the escalating insecurity crisis to focus entirely on the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Monday via his official social media accounts, the former Anambra State governor expressed deep concern over the recent wave of deadly attacks targeting civilians and security personnel across multiple regions of the country.
According to Obi, Nigeria is “clearly under siege,” and the situation has reached a point where the scale of violence is becoming unbearable for ordinary citizens.
“Our nation is clearly under siege, and the scale of insecurity is becoming unbearable, spreading widely all over the country,” Obi declared.
He drew specific attention to a tragic incident in Borno State’s Ngoshe community last week, where terrorists reportedly overpowered military forces.
During the assault, soldiers and several residents were killed, and over 100 women and children were abducted.
“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 further lamented that the ultimate sacrifices made by the armed forces are repeatedly overlooked by the authorities.
“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 rising tide of violence is not limited to the North-East, Obi noted. He pointed to worsening conditions in Nasarawa, Kogi, and Benue states, where terrorists have reportedly occupied farmlands and forests, crippling local economies and forcing mass displacement.
“In Nasarawa’s Kadarko area alone, 14,318 civilians are now registered as internally displaced persons,” he revealed, adding that cases of abductions and deadly attacks have also recently plagued Oyo, Ondo, and Kebbi states.
Obi also expressed profound alarm that the terror wave has infiltrated the nation’s capital, citing a recent kidnapping incident in Kubwa, Abuja, where roughly 19 citizens, including women and children, were dragged from their homes. He described the Abuja attack as a “grim reminder that insecurity is no longer distant but now a norm.”
Turning his frustration toward the political establishment, Obi accused leaders of being distracted by their ambitions for the next election cycle while the country burns.
“The ruling class are instead devastatingly more preoccupied with how to snatch, grab, and run away with the next election. 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,” he criticized.
In the wake of the Ngoshe attack mentioned by Obi, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the affected community in Pulka last Friday to mourn the victims.
Zulum sympathized with the grieving families and assured them that aggressive efforts are currently underway to rescue those abducted during the Wednesday night assault.
