Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has once again criticised federal government’s passive and uncoordinated response to the nation’s severe insecurity problems.
In a recent post on his X account, titled “What Our Pervasive Insecurity Requires: A Holistic, Not Reactive Approach,” the former governor of Anambra State expressed his deep concern over the on-going security crisis.
He pointed to President Bola Tinubu’s reported approval to recruit approximately 1,000 Forest Guards for Oyo State as a clear indication of inadequate leadership and a reactive strategy for addressing critical governance and security issues.
Obi drew a parallel between this approach and the abrupt removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the Naira, which he argued have inflicted significant and lasting harm on ordinary citizens and the national economy.
While acknowledging the importance of increasing security personnel nationwide, he stressed that such measures should be implemented through a more structured and carefully considered process.
He highlighted that insecurity is a widespread problem affecting nearly all the 36 states, with Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo, and Sokoto experiencing particularly alarming situations.
Obi questioned whether approval for Forest Guards recruitment in Oyo would be extended uniformly to all states, totalling 37,000 guards across the 36 states and Abuja, or whether such decisions were arbitrary and dependent on the President’s disposition.
Furthermore, he raised concerns about the potential impact on existing security outfits, such as the Amotekun Corps in the South-West, which are actively working to secure the region.
Obi asserted that the pervasive insecurity is a direct consequence of systemic failures, particularly in leadership.
He attributed the deaths of over 10,000 innocent Nigerians since 2023 and Nigeria’s ranking among the world’s most terror-affected countries to this leadership deficit.
According to Obi, “effectively tackling insecurity necessitates a comprehensive, or ‘ecosystem,’ approach”.
He stressed that leadership failures lead to a breakdown in national unity, industrial development, the effective utilisation of the nation’s vast resources in agriculture, minerals, tourism, water, sports, and even oil and gas for revenue generation, economic growth, and crucially, job creation for the burgeoning youth population.
He, however, expressed optimism that a new, prosperous Nigeria is achievable.
