Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described the recent move by the United States Government to evacuate its embassy staff from Nigeria as deeply troubling.
In a post shared on X on Thursday night, Obi said the development should be treated as “a national emergency,” especially for a country trying to attract investors.
“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, especially for a country already struggling to attract investors,” he said.
Obi added that the move reflects declining confidence in Nigeria’s security system. He pointed out that Nigeria currently ranks fourth on the Global Terrorism Index, while insecurity continues to worsen across the country.
“Nigeria currently ranks fourth in the Global Terrorism Index, yet insecurity continues to worsen – lives are being lost and communities remain under constant 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 also referenced reports of the killing of an Army Brigadier General by terrorists in Borno, warning that a country where people cannot live, work, or travel safely cannot progress or attract investment.
“The U.S. directive is a clear signal of declining confidence in our national security architecture. Disturbingly, reports indicate the loss of yet another Army Brigadier General to terrorists in Borno earlier today. A nation where people cannot live, work, worship, or travel safely cannot progress or attract investment,” Obi said.
He stressed that the primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property, adding that leaders have fallen short in this regard over the years.
“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. Our failure continues to place immense strain on our troops, who make the ultimate sacrifices.
“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.
