Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over what he described as the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, warning that the country is gradually becoming desensitised to mass school abductions and other violent incidents.
In a Friday statement, Obi recalled the global reaction that followed the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, noting that it once triggered widespread outrage and international solidarity under the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
“The abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014 triggered a global movement. One school abduction was enough to unite Nigerians, attract international attention, and place enormous pressure on the government through the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.”
He, however, lamented that similar incidents since then have not attracted the same level of national or international response.
“Yet, what has happened since then should trouble every Nigerian. Under President Buhari’s eight years in office, Nigeria witnessed about ten school abductions. Under President Tinubu’s administration, in just three years, we have already recorded over ten school abductions.”
According to him, the repeated incidents raise troubling questions about the country’s collective response to insecurity.
“Despite these repeated tragedies, there has been neither sustained national outrage nor significant international attention comparable to what followed Chibok. This raises an important question: have we become so accustomed to insecurity that what once shocked our national conscience is now treated as normal?”
Obi also criticised what he described as a misplaced priority among political leaders, alleging that attention is being diverted from urgent national challenges.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with insecurity, poverty, and hardship, it is deeply troubling that those in power appear more focused on political calculations and preparations for the next election than on addressing the urgent challenges confronting our people.”
He further reacted to comments describing Nigeria as a “now disgraced nation,” warning that persistent insecurity and governance failures are damaging the country’s global image.
“It is, therefore, no surprise that some observers have labelled us a ‘Now Disgraced Nation’. While we do not agree with any attempt to define our great country by its present difficulties, we must acknowledge that persistent insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership failure have damaged our reputation and standing among nations.”
The former governor stressed that solutions lie in responsible leadership rather than denial or political distraction.
“The answer is not denial, propaganda, or political distraction. The answer is leadership that is competent, compassionate, accountable, and genuinely committed to the welfare and security of the Nigerian people.”
He also urged young Nigerians not to remain passive in the face of national challenges.
“The Nigerian youth must not become indifferent. We must all refuse to normalise failure. Young Nigerians – Take back your country!”
