Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on President Bola Tinubu to either resign from office or abandon any plan to seek re-election in 2027, accusing his administration of failing to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and showing insufficient compassion for victims of violent crimes.
Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account following a visit to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over the prolonged captivity of schoolchildren abducted more than 50 days ago.
He described the continued detention of the pupils and the Federal Government’s handling of the incident as evidence of a broader failure of governance, arguing that many Nigerians increasingly feel abandoned by those entrusted with protecting them.
“The ultimate cost of uncompassionate leadership, as evident in the country today, is turning citizens’ frustration into deep, volatile resentment,” Obi said.
“It is even more traumatising when the leader presiding over that collapse demonstrates clear incapacity and a lack of compassion.”
The former Anambra State governor expressed sympathy with the government and people of Oyo State, stating that they had every reason to feel disappointed over the continued captivity of the abducted children.
According to Obi, he had repeatedly appealed for the children’s release and maintained regular contact with Governor Makinde to express solidarity.
He disclosed that on July 3, he travelled to Ibadan alongside political economist Prof. Pat Utomi to identify with the state government and the families of the victims.
“Since this unfortunate incident, I have spoken publicly about it twice, including appealing directly to the kidnappers to release the children,” he said.
“I also called the Governor twice to assure him of my solidarity, understanding that this issue is not just an Oyo problem but a Nigerian tragedy.”
Obi said he used the meeting to share his experience managing security challenges during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, recalling how former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan maintained direct communication with governors whenever serious security incidents occurred.
He said he was surprised to learn that President Tinubu had allegedly not contacted Governor Makinde regarding the abduction.
“I recalled how President Olusegun Obasanjo, and later Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan would personally call us several times whenever we faced major security challenges,” Obi said.
“But, to my utmost shock, I discovered that Governor Seyi Makinde had not received a single call from President Bola Tinubu.”
Drawing a comparison with the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, Obi noted that the incident generated widespread national and international outrage and attracted strong criticism of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
He recalled that Tinubu was among those who publicly criticised Jonathan for delaying communication with the affected state government.
“I remember the only case of a school kidnapping during President Goodluck Jonathan’s era—the Chibok girls,” he said.
“Even though the security agencies provided almost daily updates, Nigerians and the international community criticised President Jonathan for taking more than two weeks to call the state governor.”
Obi argued that Nigeria has experienced numerous school kidnappings under the current administration without what he considers adequate presidential engagement.
He claimed that more than 13 school kidnapping incidents have occurred during Tinubu’s presidency, saying the continued abduction of pupils and other citizens demonstrates a serious breakdown in governance.
“Today, under President Tinubu, there have been more than 13 school kidnappings, yet the President has found it difficult to call the affected state’s chief executive after more than 50 days,” he said.
“This is outrageous.”
The former governor maintained that the administration has displayed both a lack of capacity and compassion in addressing the country’s security challenges.
He urged the President to place the national interest above political ambition.
“The situation reflects a total lack of capacity and compassion, compounded by glaring insensitivity,” Obi said.
“Amid such an apparent display of incompetence, the President should either resign or, at the very least, abstain from seeking re-election for the sake of our dear country. This call is patriotic, not political.”
He concluded by reiterating his familiar message: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”