Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, has stirred national debate with a powerful and emotionally charged statement on Monday, declaring that any president who cannot protect the lives of citizens should be ready to lay down their own life.
Speaking at a leadership symposium in Abuja focused on security and governance, Obi criticized the current administration’s handling of rising insecurity across the country, particularly in the North West and Middle Belt regions, where banditry and communal violence have continued to claim lives.
“If your people are dying and you sit comfortably in office doing nothing, then you are unfit to lead,” Obi said during his address. “A true leader should be ready to die if necessary. You cannot lead a country where your citizens are being slaughtered daily, and you act like it’s normal.”
The comment drew applause from the audience, which included civil society groups, youth leaders, and traditional rulers. Obi, known for his outspoken and pragmatic style, emphasized that leadership comes with deep sacrifice—not privilege.
“Being president is not a title to enjoy luxury,” he continued. “It is a call to service, to put yourself on the line for the sake of the people. If you cannot do that, then you have no business occupying that office.”
Obi’s remarks come just days after fresh attacks in parts of Kaduna and Benue states left scores dead, sparking renewed outcry from Nigerians over the government’s perceived failure to end the bloodshed.
Presidential spokesperson Mallam Garba Adamu responded in a press release late Monday, stating:
>While Mr. Obi is entitled to his opinion, leadership requires calm and calculated decisions, not incendiary rhetoric. The President remains committed to restoring peace and protecting all Nigerians.”
However, opposition lawmakers and human rights advocates have rallied behind Obi’s sentiment, arguing that the federal government has shown “unacceptable levels of detachment” in the face of national tragedies.
Senator Aisha Musa (LP–Plateau South) praised Obi’s statement as a “wake-up call to conscience,” adding, “Our leaders must stop seeing governance as entitlement—it is a responsibility, even unto death, if necessary.”
Obi’s remarks are expected to further galvanize the youth and reform-minded Nigerians who see him as a symbol of integrity and a beacon of hope in a time of uncertainty.
As the 2027 elections approach, political analysts say Obi’s fiery tone may signal his readiness to take a more assertive stance in national discourse, possibly laying the groundwork for another presidential bid.
