The Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress has come down hard on Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, accusing him of “turning a national concern into political theatre” after he reacted to the United States’ decision to list Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
Obi, who broke his silence on Monday, said the US warning, which hints at possible international action, underscored the gravity of Nigeria’s insecurity and reflected poorly on the competence of the Tinubu administration.
But the Lagos APC says Obi’s response was “too late, too shallow, and politically motivated.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 4, the party’s spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, said, “For a man always chasing microphones and hashtags, his sudden silence was deafening until Nigerians began to question it.”
“It is clear that Obi did not speak out of national concern but out of fear of being exposed for his double standards. His reaction lacked sincerity, urgency, and any semblance of unifying spirit,” Oladejo stated.
He accused Obi of thriving politically on Nigeria’s difficulties, claiming the former Anambra governor was more interested in foreign validation than national progress.
“Real leaders balance criticism with dignity and patriotism. But Obi thrives politically when Nigeria struggles,” Oladejo said, adding that, “That is not patriotism; it’s politics of bitterness born from electoral heartbreak.”
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The APC spokesperson defended President Bola Tinubu’s handling of insecurity, insisting that his government “inherited a difficult situation” but has responded with “courage and strategic reforms.”
“President Tinubu is strengthening the military, deploying technology, and rebuilding alliances.
“While serious leaders are working, Obi and his online choir are stuck in 2023, feeding off foreign commentary for political oxygen,” Oladejo said.
He challenged Obi to prove his leadership credentials by supporting national unity rather than exploiting crises.
“A man who claims to seek national leadership should not need public reminders before defending his country.
“Leadership is proactive, not reactive, and certainly not driven by online agitation,” he added.
Oladejo concluded that Nigeria’s progress would not depend on “those praying for its failure,” urging citizens to “stay focused on the Renewed Hope agenda and ignore those who profit politically from national difficulty.”