Obi urges youths to reclaim Nigeria, decries ‘normalised’ school abductions under Tinubu

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on Nigerian youths to take back the country’s leadership, warning that worsening insecurity, economic hardship and governance failures are deepening national despair under President Bola Tinubu.

Obi made the call in a Facebook post on Friday, where he expressed concern over what he described as the growing normalisation of school abductions in Nigeria. He warned that repeated incidents of mass kidnappings in schools are no longer attracting the level of national outrage and international attention they once did, signalling what he described as a dangerous acceptance of failure.

He noted that at least 10 school abductions have reportedly occurred under the current administration, arguing that such incidents should not become routine in a country that aspires to stability and development. Obi referenced the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, which sparked the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign, saying that a single incident at the time was enough to unite Nigerians and draw worldwide condemnation and pressure on the government.

Comparing administrations, he said about 10 school abductions were recorded during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office, while the Tinubu administration has already surpassed that figure in just three years. He criticised what he described as a shift in focus by the government toward political calculations and preparations for the 2027 general elections, rather than urgent attention to insecurity, poverty and worsening economic hardship affecting millions of Nigerians.

Obi further warned that Nigeria’s persistent insecurity and economic struggles are damaging its global reputation and reinforcing negative perceptions of the country. He said the situation reflects a broader leadership failure that must not be ignored or normalised by citizens.

According to him, the solution lies in accountable, competent and compassionate leadership committed to the welfare and safety of Nigerians. He insisted that denial, propaganda and political distractions cannot solve the country’s challenges.

Obi urged young Nigerians not to remain indifferent in the face of what he described as declining governance standards. He called on them to reject failure and demand better leadership, stressing that meaningful change can only come when citizens, especially youths, actively insist on accountability.

“Young Nigerians, take back your country,” he said, reinforcing his appeal for greater civic engagement and political awareness among the country’s younger population.