Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians not to become desensitised to the growing wave of insecurity, warning that repeated school abductions and violent attacks are gradually being treated as normal occurrences.
In a statement released on Thursday, Obi reflected on the nationwide and international reaction that followed the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, noting that the incident united Nigerians and sparked the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
According to him, the outrage that followed the Chibok tragedy placed enormous pressure on the government at the time and attracted worldwide attention. However, he lamented that subsequent school kidnappings have failed to generate the same level of concern despite their frequency.
Obi stated that Nigeria witnessed several school abductions during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and has continued to record similar incidents under President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The former presidential candidate questioned whether Nigerians have become so accustomed to insecurity that incidents which once shocked the nation are now being accepted as part of daily life.
He also criticised political leaders for allegedly prioritising political strategies and future elections while many citizens continue to struggle with insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship.
According to Obi, Nigeria’s persistent security challenges have negatively affected the country’s image globally, stressing that the nation needs leadership that is competent, compassionate, accountable, and committed to protecting lives and improving citizens’ welfare.
Calling on young Nigerians to remain engaged, Obi warned against becoming indifferent to the country’s problems, insisting that citizens must continue to demand better governance and accountability.
His comments come amid fresh concerns over school-related kidnappings, including the recent abduction of a school principal and several students in Oyo State, as well as other security incidents reported across the country.
Source: Statement by Peter Obi.
