The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has decried the worsening insecurity across the country, asserting that Nigeria needs a leader who prioritises the safety and protection of its citizens.
In a statement on Tuesday, Obi reflected on the series of tragedies recorded in recent days across Adamawa, Anambra, and Sokoto States.
“From the killing of innocent worshippers, to the deaths of 7 peaceful women protesters in Adamawa, to the continued attacks by bandits in Sokoto that have claimed the lives of seven more Nigerians, we are confronted with the painful daily reality that insecurity continues to threaten the very soul of our nation.
“No country aspiring to growth, stability, and prosperity can accept this level of violence as normal. I have consistently maintained that security is the foundation upon which every other aspect of national development rests,” he stated.
Obi noted that without security, schools cannot function, farms cannot thrive, businesses cannot grow, and people cannot live with dignity.
“The tragic killings in Anambra show a failure to protect places of worship and innocent citizens going about their lives. The deaths of the women protesters in Adamawa reveal the deep breakdown in trust between citizens and security agencies meant to safeguard them. And the killings in Sokoto demonstrate how banditry and terrorism continue to ravage parts of the North-West despite repeated promises of action,” he lamented.
The former Anambra State governor said that Nigeria cannot continue on this path, stressing that “we need leadership that prioritises the protection of every Nigerian life, regardless of region, religion, gender, or social status, and we deserve leaders who would provide justice for innocent citizens who are facing these calamities every day.”
Obi further emphasised that beyond security, Nigeria must address the deeper roots of instability, including poverty, unemployment, weak institutions, and lack of opportunities, noting that a nation where millions are left behind will always struggle with unrest.
“That is why I continue to emphasise the importance of investing in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. A secure nation is one where citizens are educated, healthy, economically included, and confident that justice will be served when wrongs are committed,” he explained.
He added: “As we mourn the lives lost, we must also renew our commitment to building a Nigeria where such tragedies become a thing of the past. A Nigeria where leaders lead with empathy, competence, and accountability.
“May the souls of all those we have lost rest in peace. May their families find comfort. And may we, as a nation, find the courage to demand and build a safer, secure, and more united Nigeria.”
