Nigeria going through troubling times — Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over what he described as an “unprecedented negative news” recorded across Nigeria within 10 days, blaming the situation on “collective leadership failures.”

In a statement on Monday, Obi warned that the country was drifting into “avoidable disorder” due to insecurity, lawlessness, and institutional decay.

“The past 10 days in Nigeria have witnessed unprecedented negative news, a level of chaos, insecurity, and institutional decay that should trouble the conscience of all the leaders.

“Our country is now going through troubling times, not by fate, but by our collective leadership failures that allow insecurity, lawlessness, and institutional decay to thrive

Each day confronts us with a new tragedy and a new reminder that our beloved country is drifting amid a clear absence of competent, compassionate, responsive, and responsible leadership.

“We have all watched a nation blessed with people of strength and resilience drift into avoidable disorder,” ” he said.

He listed a series of violent incidents across the country, including the “killing of a Brigadier General, the abduction of 64 civilians in Zamfara, the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi, the attack on worshippers in Kwara, the abduction of over 300 schoolchildren and teachers in Niger and others.

Obi also mentioned the fresh attack on female farmers  in Borno, saying, “I received yet another devastating report about the abduction of 13 female farmers in Askira-Uba LGA of Borno State today by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.”

 reports that suspected Boko Haram terrorists abducted 12 females in Mussa District, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. Our correspondent gathered that the women were abducted while returning from their farmlands around 5 pm on Saturday.

The incident on Sunday was confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, who said the command has launched an investigation into the abduction.

The former presidential candidate also warned, “No serious nation survives on excuses, indifference, or absentee leadership. Nigeria is bleeding because those elected to protect the nation have chosen comfort over courage, politics over people, and power over purpose.”

He called on political leaders to prioritise competence, compassion, and accountability, stressing that “governance is not a title, it is a duty to protect every child, every community, and every citizen. We need competence, compassion, and a government that shows up when it matters the most.

“To every Nigerian shaken by the events of the past 10 days, my heart is with you. You deserve safety. You deserve peace. Nigeria must rise again.”