Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed profound anguish over what he describes as an alarming and unprecedented surge in insecurity across Nigeria, questioning the very fabric of the nation's leadership and collective conscience.
A Nation in Distress: Obi's Solemn Query
In a heartfelt statement released on his official X account, the former Governor of Anambra State painted a grim picture of a nation adrift. "The past 10 days in Nigeria have witnessed unprecedented negative news," Obi lamented, highlighting a disturbing level of chaos, institutional decay, and lawlessness that should trouble every leader.
He firmly placed the blame not on fate, but on a "collective leadership failure" that has allowed these ills to thrive. Obi poignantly asked a question weighing heavily on many Nigerians: "We should be asking ourselves: Are we cursed, or are we the curse?"
A Chronology of Terror: Ten Days of Tragedy
To underscore the severity of the situation, Peter Obi provided a detailed breakdown of the devastating events that have unfolded across the country, creating a tapestry of national grief.
On November 11, 2025, six senior directors from the Ministry of Defence were kidnapped along the Kogi axis, a stark reminder that those tasked with national security are themselves vulnerable.
By November 15, a senior military officer, a Brigadier General, was brutally executed, signaling the grave dangers engulfing both civilians and security personnel.
The following day, November 16, saw 64 civilians, including women and children, abducted in Zamfara State, with innocent lives lost in the brutal attack.
On November 17, the nation's future was attacked as 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Kebbi State and their Vice Principal was killed.
November 18 was a particularly dark day, marked by multiple tragedies. Worshippers at a church in Kwara State were violently attacked during prayers, resulting in deaths and the abduction of about 38 individuals, turning a sacred sanctuary into a scene of terror.
That same day, a disturbing political crisis unfolded at the PDP Wadata Plaza headquarters, where security agencies were accused of worsening the situation instead of de-escalating it. Obi criticized the government for watching with "amusement" and encouraging the destruction of political institutions.
Also on November 18, during the All Nigeria Judges' Conference, judges were seen standing as the APC partisan song "On Your Mandate We Shall Stand" played, a moment Obi said further eroded public trust in institutions meant to uphold the rule of law.
The crisis deepened on November 19 when soldiers heading to rescue the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls were ambushed, revealing the acute undersupport faced by security forces.
By November 21, Nigerians awoke to the devastating news of the abduction of over 300 schoolchildren and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State.
The violence continued on November 22 with bandits opening fire on farmers in Kaduna, killing one. The next day, terrorists ambushed and gunned down 5 police officers in Darazo LGA, Bauchi State.
As he was compiling this list, Obi received yet another devastating report: the abduction of 13 female farmers in Askira-Uba LGA of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
The Call for Responsible Leadership
Peter Obi asserted that no serious nation can survive on excuses, indifference, or absentee leadership. He stated unequivocally that the current state of the nation is not inevitable but is a direct consequence of leaders not valuing human life.
"Nigeria is bleeding because those elected to protect the nation have chosen comfort over courage, politics over people, and power over purpose," he declared.
Advising the nation's leaders, Obi reminded them that governance is not merely a title but a duty to protect every child, community, and citizen. He called for competence, compassion, and a government that shows up when it matters the most.
Addressing all Nigerians shaken by the events of the past ten days, he expressed his solidarity: "My heart is with you. You deserve safety, you deserve peace. We deserve a government that values our lives above politics. Nigeria must rise again."
