The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to either resign from office or abandon any plans to seek re-election in 2027, citing the country’s worsening security situation.
In a statement released on Monday, Obi expressed concern over the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, particularly the growing wave of kidnappings across Nigeria.
Obi said he was surprised to learn that President Tinubu has allegedly not contact Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, 50 days after the abduction of schoolchildren in the state.
According to him, such a response reflects a lack of urgency and empathy in addressing one of the country’s most pressing security challenges.
The former Anambra State governor compared the current situation with the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, noting that Tinubu was among those who criticised the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan over its handling of the incident. Obi argued that despite several school abductions occurring under the current administration, there has been little visible presidential engagement with affected communities and state authorities.
Obi maintained that the persistent cases of kidnapping and insecurity across the country point to what he described as a failure of capacity and compassion by the Federal Government. He said that, in the interest of Nigerians, President Tinubu should either step down from office or set aside any ambition of seeking a second term in 2027.
The NDC presidential candidate also disclosed that he had publicly appealed twice to the kidnappers to release the abducted children and had spoken with Governor Makinde on two occasions to express solidarity.
Describing the incident as “a Nigerian tragedy” rather than an Oyo State issue, Obi stressed that insecurity should be treated as a national emergency requiring decisive leadership.
