Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the administration’s handling of school abductions and the worsening security situation in the country, urging the president to either resign or abandon any plan to seek re-election.
Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account following a visit to Oyo State, where he met with Governor Seyi Makinde over the abduction of schoolchildren who, according to him, have remained in captivity for more than 50 days.
Describing the incident as a “Nigerian tragedy,” the former Anambra State governor said the prolonged captivity of the pupils reflects what he called a failure of leadership and compassion by the federal government.
“The ultimate cost of uncompassionate leadership, as evident in the country today, is turning citizens’ frustration into deep, volatile resentment. It is even more traumatising when the leader presiding over that collapse demonstrates clear incapacity and a lack of compassion,” Obi stated.
He disclosed that he had previously appealed publicly to the abductors to release the children and had also spoken with Governor Makinde on two occasions to express solidarity, stressing that insecurity should transcend political affiliations.
Obi said he visited Ibadan on July 3 alongside renowned economist Pat Utomi to commiserate with the governor after more than 50 days had passed without the children’s rescue.
According to him, discussions during the visit revealed that President Tinubu had not personally contacted Governor Makinde regarding the abduction.
“I discovered that, contrary to my assumption that they had been in regular communication over the matter, Governor Seyi Makinde had not received a single call from President Bola Tinubu,” Obi said.
The former presidential candidate drew comparisons with the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, recalling that Tinubu had been among those who criticised Jonathan for delaying contact with the governor of the affected state.
“I vividly recall that the current President, Bola Tinubu, led a team of vocal critics who called for President Jonathan’s immediate resignation over the incident, citing his delay in calling the state governor. That call for immediate resignation should actually be the case in this matter,” he said.
Obi further alleged that more than 13 school kidnapping incidents had occurred since Tinubu assumed office, accusing the president of failing to show adequate concern for the victims and their families.
“I cannot imagine any issue more important than the lives of our kidnapped children, their teachers, and the many other Nigerians being held captive across the country. It is now an indisputable fact that governance has completely collapsed under this administration,” he added.
The presidency has yet to respond to Obi’s latest remarks.
