Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate, has urged the government to take decisive action to address Nigeria’s insecurity crisis.
In a statement on Wednesday, Obi responded to recent incidents, including the alleged abduction of 150 people and theft of 1,000 cattle in Sokoto community, as well as the killing of the Emir of Gobir.
He described the situation as a “tipping point” in the country’s decline and emphasised the need for collective responsibility to address the crisis.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra state called for effective measures to protect citizens, stating that the current situation is a national emergency.
He said, “Still reeling from the shocking news of the tragic murder of the Emir of Gobir, my earlier message reflected my deep sorrow and dismay. Yet, even those words now feel insufficient to convey the weight of one’s feeling of tragic loss.
“This most recent atrocity marks the tipping point in the decline of a failing state. The fact that, according to widely circulated reports, the terrorists returned to the emir’s domain, abducted 150 innocent people, and stole 1,000 cattle, after his brutal murder serves as a grim indication of the continued collapse of our national security infrastructure.
“We are now at the mercy of terrorists and bandits, with a nearly ineffective government to protect us. This is not just a tragedy, but a national emergency.”
He added, “We demand decisive action, not empty rhetoric, to confront this crisis. This is why I strongly advocate for a declaration of war on insecurity, the food crisis, and poverty—a stance that some have twisted, distorted, and used for their agendas.
“It’s time for us to take collective responsibility. We cannot stand by as our nation deteriorates to this unacceptable level. We must revive our commitment to the safety and security of all Nigerians. Enough must now be enough,” his statement partly read.
