Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised Nigeria’s political leadership for prioritising electoral calculations over urgent national security concerns, warning that the country is facing a worsening security crisis. Obi made the remarks in a statement shared on Monday through his official social media accounts, where he expressed deep concern over the growing wave of attacks across different parts of the country and the increasing toll on both civilians and members of the security forces. According to him, Nigeria is facing a dangerous situation that requires immediate and decisive leadership rather than political distractions.
“Our nation is clearly under siege, and the scale of insecurity is becoming unbearable, spreading widely all over the country,” Obi said in the statement. The former governor of Anambra State lamented that while communities continue to face violent attacks, many political actors appear to be more focused on preparing for the next election cycle instead of addressing the urgent security threats confronting the nation. Obi specifically referenced a recent attack on the Ngoshe community in Borno State, where terrorists reportedly overpowered soldiers stationed in the area.
The assault, he said, resulted in the deaths of several soldiers and civilians, while a large number of residents, including 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 stressed that the continued loss of lives among both civilians and members of the armed forces should be treated as a national emergency, noting that the sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers are often not adequately recognised.
The former presidential candidate urged political leaders to shift their attention away from partisan calculations and focus on restoring safety and stability across the country. Nigeria has for years battled multiple security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West, communal conflicts in the Middle Belt, and various criminal activities in other parts of the country. These security issues have continued to strain the nation’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies.
Obi warned that failure to urgently address the situation could further endanger lives and deepen public frustration with the political class. He called for stronger coordination among security agencies, improved intelligence gathering, and a renewed commitment by leaders at all levels of government to protect citizens. He concluded by urging authorities to honour the sacrifices of security personnel who continue to risk their lives in defence of the nation while working toward lasting solutions to Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
