By Peter Salami
Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly criticised the federal government over what he described as its failure to protect Nigerians, declaring that the country deserves a government that treats human life as sacred.
Reacting to reports of the abduction of scores of Christian worshippers in Kaduna State last Sunday, Obi said the persistent wave of insecurity across the country was a clear indication that the government had failed in its primary responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.
“Nigeria deserves a government that treats human life as sacred. The time to confront this insecurity is now,” Obi said.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain described it as unacceptable that citizens continue to live at the mercy of armed groups, stressing that insecurity has been allowed to grow unchecked and normalised in everyday life.
“I have just been informed that yet again, at the weekend, about 172 worshippers were abducted from churches in Kaduna. This is yet another unfortunate consequence of a nation where insecurity has been allowed to grow, unchecked and unchallenged, as though it were normal. This should not be,” he said.
In a statement posted on his official X handle, Obi expressed alarm that the APC-led Federal Government appeared more interested in spending public funds on propaganda and foreign lobbyists than in securing communities and protecting citizens.
“Just recently, communities in Benue, Zamfara, Kano, Niger and Plateau states have faced similarly gruesome insecurity. Nigeria is not at war, yet here we are again, counting victims with inconsistencies that surpass those of nations at war,” he said.
“A government that can mobilise resources for waste, propaganda and foreign lobbyists, but cannot secure communities or protect its people, has clearly misplaced its priorities.”
Obi said it was even more troubling that the police, whose constitutional duty is to protect citizens, initially denied knowledge of the abductions, despite confirmations from local residents and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that at least 163 worshippers were kidnapped.
“Even with the government and police stating they are not aware of this incident, we must ask ourselves hard questions. Is this how we will continue? Can we keep waking up to news of mass abductions, disputed figures and official denials while citizens live in fear?” he asked.
According to him, whether confirmed or contested, the frequency of such reports alone points to a deeper crisis of safety, leadership and national cohesion.
Obi prayed for the safe return of those abducted and the quick recovery of those injured during the attack, assuring the people of Kaduna of solidarity.
“To the people of Kaduna, you are not alone. We stand with you. To the families whose loved ones were taken, we share in your pain,” he said.
He added: “If the denials are true, we thank God Almighty. If they are untrue, we stand with the affected families and urge the relevant authorities to take swift and decisive action.”