Amanze Chinonye
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to demonstrate leadership and compassion in tackling the country’s worsening insecurity, urging him to resign or, at the very least, forgo seeking re-election, Prime Business Africa reports.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said the country’s leadership crisis had become increasingly evident, arguing that the government’s inability to effectively address insecurity was fuelling public frustration and resentment.
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He cited the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, claiming that more than 50 days after the incident, there had been no tangible progress in securing their release, leaving the state and its residents feeling abandoned.
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Obi said he had twice appealed publicly to the kidnappers to release the children and had also spoken with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on two occasions to express solidarity, describing the incident as “a Nigerian tragedy” rather than an Oyo State problem.
According to him, he travelled to Ibadan on July 3 alongside Pat Utomi to meet with the governor after more than seven weeks had passed without the children’s rescue.
Obi said that during the meeting, he shared his experience of managing security challenges while serving as governor of Anambra State, recalling that former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan would personally contact state governors whenever major security challenges arose.
He said he was surprised to learn that Governor Makinde had not received a single telephone call from President Tinubu since the abduction of the schoolchildren.
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Drawing a comparison with the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, Obi noted that the incident attracted widespread national and international attention. He recalled that Tinubu was among those who criticised then-President Jonathan for delaying communication with the affected state governor, adding that the same standard should apply to the current administration.
Obi further alleged that more than 13 school kidnapping incidents had occurred under the Tinubu administration, arguing that the President’s response to the security situation reflected what he described as a lack of capacity, compassion and sensitivity.
“I cannot imagine any issue more important than the lives of our kidnapped children, their teachers, and the many other Nigerians being held captive across the country,” Obi said.
He maintained that governance had “completely collapsed” under the current administration and called on President Tinubu to either resign or, at the very least, decline to seek re-election.
Describing his appeal as “patriotic, not political,” Obi said the country’s current trajectory required urgent leadership change, adding, “A new Nigeria is possible.”
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.
