Peter Obi To Tinubu; Leave Whatever You Are Doing In France; Return To Nigeria Immediately
Peter Obi, the Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately cut short his current trip to France and return to Nigeria to address the growing wave of multiple problems facing the country.
Obi’s call comes amid worsening insecurity, violence and killings across the country.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Obi 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,” Obi wrote.
“This urgent call has become necessary following the rising incidents of crimes and criminalities all over Nigeria with an apparent absence of governance.”
Citing grim statistics, Obi lamented that more than 150 Nigerians have lost their lives in various violent incidents during the President’s two-week absence, particularly 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,” Obi said.
He also highlighted repeated pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta and a resurgence of insurgency in Borno State, where both soldiers and civilians have reportedly been killed.
Similar incidents of killings and abductions were noted in the South East.
“Amid all these, the CEO of the troubling company called Nigeria is retreating far away land in France from the Company’s headquarters,” Obi stated, criticizing what he viewed as a lack of responsiveness from the presidency in a time of national distress.
He further stressed that securing the lives and property of citizens is 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.
Obi concluded his statement by urging President Tinubu to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues, emphasizing that the quest for a better Nigeria goes beyond individuals, it is about policies that tangibly improve the lives of citizens.
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.”
As public concern mounts, Obi’s remarks reflect growing frustration among Nigerians over the federal government’s handling of national security, and the perceived lack of urgency in confronting the crisis.
