Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the continued wave of school abductions in Nigeria, warning that the country is gradually becoming desensitised to insecurity.
In a statement shared on his official X handle on Friday, June 5, Obi recalled the global outrage that followed the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, which led to the international #BringBackOurGirls campaign and sustained pressure on the government.
He noted that while the Chibok incident triggered widespread national and global attention, similar tragedies in recent years have not received the same level of outrage or sustained response.
According to him, Nigeria recorded about ten school abductions during the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, while more than ten have already occurred under President Bola Tinubu’s administration within just three years.
Obi questioned whether Nigerians have become so accustomed to insecurity that incidents which once sparked national outrage are now treated as routine occurrences.
“This raises an important question: have we become so accustomed to insecurity that what once shocked our national conscience is now treated as normal?”
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The former Anambra State governor also criticised what he described as the government’s misplaced priorities, alleging that political actors appear more focused on electoral calculations than addressing pressing national challenges such as insecurity and poverty.
He warned that the combination of insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership failure is damaging Nigeria’s international reputation.
“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 insisted that the solution lies in leadership that is competent, compassionate, accountable, and focused on citizens’ welfare, rather than denial or political distractions.
He urged young Nigerians not to become indifferent to the situation, calling on them to demand better governance and resist normalising failure.
“Young Nigerians – Take back your country! A New Nigeria is Possible. -PO”