The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Friday called on Nigerian youths to reclaim the country’s governance from President Bola Tinubu, citing worsening insecurity, economic hardship and leadership failure.
In a post via his official X handle, the former Anambra State governor expressed concern over what he described as the normalisation of school abductions in the country, noting that there had been no fewer than 10 such incidents under Mr Tinubu’s administration.
He stated that the recurring abductions, which had failed to attract the level of national and international condemnation it deserved, should trouble every Nigerian and must not be treated as the norm.
“The abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014 triggered a global movement. One school abduction was enough to unite Nigerians, attract international attention, and place enormous pressure on the government through the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, Obi said.
“Under President Buhari’s eight years in office, Nigeria witnessed about 10 school abductions. Under President Tinubu’s administration, in just three years, we have already recorded over 10 school abductions.”
He berated Tinubu’s administration for focusing on political permutations and the 2027 general elections rather than addressing pressing issues such as insecurity, poverty and hardship faced by millions of Nigerians.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with insecurity, poverty, and hardship, it is deeply troubling that those in power appear more focused on political calculations and preparations for the next election than on addressing the urgent challenges confronting our people,” he said.
He noted that challenges such as persistent insecurity, economic hardship and leadership failure, which had led some observers to describe Nigeria as a “now disgraced nation,” had damaged the country’s reputation and standing among nations.
The politician called on young Nigerians to refuse to be indifferent or normalise failure.
The country’s challenges, he noted, could be resolved by competent, compassionate, accountable and genuine leadership committed to the welfare and security of Nigerians.
“The answer is not denial, propaganda, or political distraction. The Nigerian youth must not become indifferent. We must all refuse to normalise failure. Young Nigerians, take back your country!” he said.
The full statement is published below…
Young Nigerians, Take Back Your Country
The abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014 triggered a global movement. One school abduction was enough to unite Nigerians, attract international attention, and place enormous pressure on the government through the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
Yet, what has happened since then should trouble every Nigerian.
Under President Buhari’s eight years in office, Nigeria witnessed about ten school abductions. Under President Tinubu’s administration, in just three years, we have already recorded over ten school abductions.
Despite these repeated tragedies, there has been neither sustained national outrage nor significant international attention comparable to what followed Chibok.
This raises an important question: have we become so accustomed to insecurity that what once shocked our national conscience is now treated as normal?
At a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with insecurity, poverty, and hardship, it is deeply troubling that those in power appear more focused on political calculations and preparations for the next election than on addressing the urgent challenges confronting our people.
It is, therefore, no surprise that some observers have labelled us a “Now Disgraced Nation”. While we do not agree with any attempt to define our great country by its present difficulties, we must acknowledge that persistent insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership failure have damaged our reputation and standing among nations.
The answer is not denial, propaganda, or political distraction. The answer is leadership that is competent, compassionate, accountable, and genuinely committed to the welfare and security of the Nigerian people.
The Nigerian youth must not become indifferent. We must all refuse to normalise failure.
Young Nigerians – Take back your country!
A New Nigeria is Possible. -PO
