Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over a recent surge in violent attacks across the country, highlighting what he describes as leadership failure.
In a statement shared on X on Monday, Obi recalled the President’s recent assurance to victims of Jos killings that there won’t be a recurrence of such violence.
“‘This experience will not repeat itself’—another presidential promise fails in less than 24 hours”, he wrote.
Obi observed that shortly after President Tinubu visited victims in Jos on April 2 and pledged that such attacks would be prevented in the future, a fresh attack reportedly carried out in Nyamgo Gyel, Jos South Local Government Area, resulting in further casualties.
He further highlighted that insecurity has spread to other parts of the country, citing incidents in Nasarawa, Zamfara, Borno, Benue, and Kaduna states.
“Less than 24 hours after President Tinubu stood and promised grieving Nigerians that this experience would not repeat itself, another brutal attack occurred,” Obi said.
The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) decried the magnitude of the crisis, pointing out that several communities have suffered killings, abductions, and destruction of property in recent days.
“This represents a failure of leadership and responsibility, and sadly, Nigerians are paying for it with their lives,” he added.
Obi was emphatic that it is the government’s primary duty to protect lives and property is not being fulfilled.
“The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property; however, this responsibility is failing today. Nigerians are being slaughtered in their homes, in their communities, and in the very places they should feel safest,” he said.
While pointing out that the state of insecurity in the country requires urgent attention, Obi warned: “This is a national emergency. Nigeria is bleeding, and the situation is worsening and increasingly helpless.”
