Peter Obi's Stark Warning on Nigeria's Security Collapse
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has issued one of his most powerful condemnations yet of Nigeria's deteriorating security situation, warning that the nation is sinking into a cycle of preventable tragedies caused by leadership failure. In a detailed statement released on Sunday, November 23, Obi expressed grave concerns about the country's direction and posed a blunt question to the political class: "Is Nigeria cursed, or are we the curse?"
Ten Days of Violence and Institutional Failure
Obi catalogued a disturbing series of violent incidents that have shaken Nigeria within just ten days, describing the period as marked by chaos, grief, and collapsing public confidence. The timeline of violence began on November 11 with the abduction of six senior directors from the Ministry of Defence along the Kogi axis. Four days later, the situation escalated when a Brigadier General was killed, representing what Obi called a chilling indication that even highly ranked security personnel face extreme danger.
The crisis deepened on November 16 when 64 civilians, including women and children, were kidnapped in Zamfara. The very next day brought another devastating incident as 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Kebbi, where their Vice Principal was murdered during the attack. On November 18, worshippers in Kwara became targets as attackers claimed lives and abducted 38 people.
Institutional Decline and Political Interference
Beyond the direct attacks on citizens, Obi highlighted troubling signs of institutional decay. He referenced the crisis at the PDP Wadata Plaza headquarters where security operatives allegedly heightened tensions rather than containing them. The former presidential candidate also expressed disapproval of scenes from the All Nigeria Judges Conference where some judges stood while a partisan song was played ahead of the President's arrival.
Obi argued that such incidents weaken public trust in institutions expected to remain above politics. He maintained that the government appears to be allowing the security situation to degenerate rather than taking decisive action to protect citizens.
Continued Violence and Call for Accountability
The wave of violence continued through the week with an ambush on soldiers deployed to rescue abducted schoolgirls and the mass abduction of more than 300 children and 12 teachers in Niger State on November 21. Fresh reports emerged of attacks on farmers in Kaduna, the killing of five police officers in Bauchi, and the seizure of 13 female farmers in Borno.
Peter Obi emphasized that Nigeria's current condition does not result from fate or external curses. He placed responsibility squarely on leaders who have chosen comfort over courage and politics over citizen safety. The former presidential candidate called for governance that genuinely values human life and urged citizens to demand a system that prioritizes their protection above all else.
Obi concluded that leadership failure has created an environment where insecurity and lawlessness can thrive, transforming what should be a nation of abundant talent and resilience into one drifting toward deeper crisis and preventable tragedies.
