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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has renewed his criticism of what he calls the government’s passive and uncoordinated handling of the country’s serious insecurity problem.
In a post on X titled “What Our Pervasive Insecurity Requires: A Holistic, Not Reactive Approach,” the former Anambra State governor warned that current responses are short-sighted and ineffective.
Obi singled out a recent report that President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of roughly 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State, saying the move illustrates reactive leadership rather than a strategic plan to tackle the broader governance and security challenges facing Nigeria.
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 36 states, with Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo, and Sokoto experiencing particularly alarming situations.
Obi questioned whether approval for forest guard recruitment in Oyo would be extended uniformly to all states, totalling 37,000 guards across the 36 states and Abuja, or whether such decisions are 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 concluded by stating 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.
Obi expressed optimism that a new, prosperous Nigeria is achievable.
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