Obi to Tinubu: Return home to address deteriorating security challenges

Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has asked President Bola Tinubu to leave whatever he’s doing in France and return to Nigeria to tackle the wave of security challenges bedeviling the country.

Mr Obi made the call in a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday.

He expressed deep concern over the apparent absence of leadership during what he described as a critical time in the nation’s history.

“I am compelled at this time in our lives as a nation to call on our retreating president’s attention to the security challenges at home, which entails that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to address the overwhelming security situation across the country.

“This urgent call has become necessary following the rising incidents of crimes and criminalities all over Nigeria with an apparent absence of governance.”

According to him, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives in various violent incidents in Plateau and Zamfara states.

“In the 2 weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in Plateau and Zamfara states.

“The repeated pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta further reflect a nation in distress.

“In the North East, Borno state leaders are bemoaning the return of insurgency, with troops and civilians being killed randomly. In the South East, the story is the same: killings and abduction,” Mr Obi said.

Mr Obi described the nation as being in distress and likened the President to a retreating CEO far from the headquarters of his failing company.

“Amid all these, the CEO of the troubling company called Nigeria is retreating far away land in France from the company’s headquarters,” Mr Obi stated, criticising what he viewed as a lack of responsiveness from the presidency in a time of national distress.

He reaffirmed that securing the lives and property of citizens remained the primary responsibility of any government.

“The primary duty of any government is securing the lives and property of its citizens and one wonders the type of retreat going on in another country where peace has been secured by their leaders while blood continues to flow in our country,” he added.

He said, “The fight for a better Nigeria is not about individuals; it is about ensuring that every citizen can see, feel, and benefit from the policies and decisions of those in power.

“I, therefore, like to urge Mr President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues.”