In a searing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s government, Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has voiced his stern disapproval over the escalating insecurity issues in Nigeria. Obi’s remarks come in the wake of an alarming report by The Economist, highlighting the rampant kidnappings and conflicts plaguing the nation.
“Politicians in Nigeria seem to awaken to the horrors of insecurity only when it encroaches upon their Abuja mansions,” Obi declared, echoing the sentiments expressed in The Economist’s report. His comments underscore a growing frustration with the government’s response to the crisis.
Obi criticised the former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, for supporting a crowdfunding initiative to release six kidnapped girls and their father in Abuja. Despite this, one of the girls was tragically killed, and the kidnappers demanded more money.
Reflecting on the Tinubu administration’s approach to national security, Obi highlighted the grim statistics: over 3,600 kidnappings and nearly 9,000 conflict-related deaths in 2023 alone. “This is a clear indication of a failing strategy, despite the government’s significant defense spending,” Obi stated.
He further criticized the government for focusing on expensive weapons systems, which he believes do not address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, inadequate education, and public resentment towards army misconduct. Obi noted the irony of the government investing in advanced military hardware while failing to effectively protect its citizens.
“The misuse of defense budgets and the rampant corruption within the system only serve to exacerbate the problem,” Obi added, citing a lack of transparency and accountability in security spending.
In his concluding remarks, Obi called for a radical overhaul of the approach to national security, emphasizing the need for better policing, education, and economic development to create lasting peace.
This scathing assessment from a prominent political figure reflects the growing public discontent with the Tinubu administration’s handling of the country’s security crisis, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
