Amanze Chinonye
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered one of his strongest criticisms yet of President Tinubu’s administration, declaring that Nigerians are justified in seeking help from the international community since the federal government has failed in its primary duty of protecting citizens.
Obasanjo made the remarks on Friday in Jos, Plateau State, during a public programme where he lamented the worsening killings across the country and condemned what he described as government inaction and excuses in the face of a deepening national tragedy.
According to reports by Prime Business Africa, the former president said Nigerians continue to die needlessly regardless of tribe, religion, or region, yet the government has failed to take decisive action.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“No matter what religion you belong to, no matter where you come from, no matter what profession, we Nigerians are being killed and our governments seem to be incapable of protecting us,” Obasanjo said. “We are part of the world community. If our government cannot do it, we have the right to call on the international community to do for us what our government cannot do for us.”
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Obasanjo dismissed claims that the crisis is limited to certain groups, insisting that every life lost is a national tragedy. He criticised narratives that attempt to rationalise the killings on ethnic or religious grounds.
“For anybody to say that because those being killed belong to this region or this tribe or this religion, and then others too are being killed, cannot be an acceptable excuse,” he warned.
The former president also contrasted Nigeria’s current security response with what was obtainable during his administration. He revealed that even without today’s advanced technologies, security agencies under his government could track and locate criminals anywhere in the country.
“Before I left government, I know we had capacity to pick up anybody in Nigeria who committed crime anywhere,” he said. “What we didn’t have then was the technology to neutralise such criminals without moving troops by land or by air.”
Obasanjo argued that with the availability of modern tools including drone technology Nigeria now has the means to remotely eliminate identified terrorists, yet the government continues to choose negotiation over decisive action.
“Now we have capacity with drones. You can take them out. Why are we not doing that? Why are we apologising? Why are we negotiating?” he asked.
His comments come at a time of heightened insecurity nationwide, despite President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a national security emergency, which includes mass recruitment into security agencies and redeployment of personnel from VIP duties to conflict zones.
As of Saturday morning, the presidency had not issued an official response to Obasanjo’s remarks.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
