Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerian youths and citizens to reclaim the country from what he described as worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership failure.
Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Friday, where he expressed concern over the increasing number of school abductions across the country and the apparent decline in public outrage over such incidents.
Reflecting on the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, Obi noted that the incident sparked a nationwide and global campaign that drew significant attention to Nigeria’s security challenges.
“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 said.
According to Obi, subsequent years have witnessed repeated school kidnappings without generating the same level of public concern or international response.
“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,” he stated.
The former presidential candidate questioned whether Nigerians had become desensitised to insecurity, warning that the normalization of such tragedies posed a serious threat to the nation’s collective conscience.
“This raises an important question: have we become so accustomed to insecurity that what once shocked our national conscience is now treated as normal?” he asked.
Obi also accused political leaders of prioritising electoral calculations over addressing the pressing challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.
“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 said.
The former governor further lamented Nigeria’s declining international image, citing persistent insecurity, economic difficulties, and governance failures.
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“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,” Obi added.
Calling for a new approach to governance, Obi said the solution lies in accountable and compassionate leadership committed to the welfare and security of citizens.
“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 stated.
He concluded by urging young Nigerians not to become indifferent to the country’s challenges.
“The Nigerian youth must not become indifferent. We must all refuse to normalise failure. Young Nigerians — take back your country!” Obi declared.
He ended the statement with his recurring message: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”