Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has openly called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend his ongoing trip to France and return to Nigeria to take charge of the country’s growing and deeply concerning security crisis.
Obi’s passionate appeal was made public through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, as the country continues to grapple with waves of violent attacks, communal clashes, insurgency, kidnappings, and deadly incidents in various parts of the nation.
In his statement, Obi highlighted the alarming escalation of violence and loss of lives in recent weeks, pointing out that over 150 Nigerians have reportedly lost their lives within a span of just two weeks. He made specific references to the worsening security situations in Plateau and Zamfara states, where countless families have been thrown into mourning due to relentless attacks by armed assailants.
Obi also drew attention to other deeply troubling incidents, including the persistent insurgency in Borno State, where renewed terrorist activities have claimed the lives of both security personnel and innocent civilians. Additionally, he noted the alarming increase in killings and abductions taking place in the Southeast region, which has left many communities living in fear.
He further expressed concern over the series of pipeline explosions recorded in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, describing them as dangerous signs of a nation in distress. The former Anambra State Governor maintained that President Tinubu’s continued stay abroad, amidst such serious challenges at home, sends the wrong message to the Nigerian people.
According to Obi, the Presidency had earlier described Tinubu’s trip as a “working visit,” following widespread speculations about the true nature of his absence from the country. This explanation was reinforced by The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, who publicly denied claims by activist Omoyele Sowore suggesting that Tinubu traveled for undisclosed medical treatment.
However, Obi insisted that at such a critical moment in the nation’s history, it would be highly irresponsible for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to be absent from the country while citizens continue to live in fear and insecurity.
In his words;
“I am compelled, at this time in our lives as a nation, to call on our retreating President’s attention to the security challenges at home, which requires that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to address the overwhelming security situation across the country.”
“In the two weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in Plateau and Zamfara states. The repeated pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta further reflect a nation in distress. In the North East, Borno State leaders are bemoaning the return of insurgency, with troops and civilians being killed randomly. In the Southeast, the story is the same: killings and abductions. Amid all these, the CEO of the troubled company called Nigeria is retreating to a faraway land in France from the company’s headquarters.”
“I, therefore, urge Mr. President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and return home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues. That is the new Nigeria that the nation seeks.”
It will be recalled that the President left Nigeria for France on April 2, 2025, and according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, he is expected to return to the country after about two weeks.
Obi’s statement has since gone viral, sparking heated debates among citizens on social media, with many echoing his call for Tinubu to prioritize the nation’s security crisis and demonstrate leadership by returning home immediately to address the unfolding tragedies.
