Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has described the recent security advisory by the United States government as a troubling sign of declining confidence in Nigeria’s safety, warning that the development poses serious risks to national stability and economic growth.
In a strongly worded statement, Obi said the directive for the evacuation of U.S. embassy staff over rising insecurity should be treated as a national emergency, particularly for a country already grappling with investor uncertainty.
“The recent directive by the United States to evacuate its embassy staff from Nigeria due to rising insecurity is deeply worrisome and should be treated as a national emergency,” he said.
Obi noted that Nigeria’s position as fourth on the Global Terrorism Index reflects the severity of the situation, adding that insecurity continues to escalate across the country, with lives lost and communities under persistent threat.
“There is a glaring absence of effective governance; instead, what prevails are schemes that undermine democratic processes, as though politics has taken precedence over the safety of citizens,” he stated.
He described the U.S. move as a clear indication of weakening trust in Nigeria’s security framework and referenced recent reports of continued attacks in the North-East, including the killing of senior military personnel in Borno State.
“A nation where people cannot live, work, worship, or travel safely cannot progress or attract investment,” Obi warned.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property, lamenting that leadership at various levels has failed in that regard.
“The primary duty of any government is the protection of lives and property, yet in this regard, we as leaders have fallen short over the years,” he said.
“Our failure continues to place immense strain on our troops, who make the ultimate sacrifices.”
Obi further criticised the political class for prioritising power struggles over urgent national concerns, drawing a historical analogy to emphasize his point.
“Sadly, as Nigeria deteriorates, we as leaders, like Nero, remain preoccupied with politics, forgetting that without security, there is no nation to govern and no future to campaign for,” he added.
He concluded by reiterating his call for reform and renewed commitment to nation-building, stating, “A new Nigeria is possible.”