Obi Criticises Tinubu Over Oyo School Kidnapping, Questions President’s Response

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congres (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, describing the country’s leadership crisis as one marked by a lack of compassion and capacity.

In a statement via official X, Obi said the worsening security situation had left many Nigerians feeling abandoned, arguing that the government’s response to the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State reflected what he described as a collapse in governance.

‎According to Obi, more than 50 days after the abduction of the pupils, there had been no tangible progress in securing their release. He noted that he had publicly appealed to the kidnappers to free the children and had also contacted Seyi Makinde on two occasions to express solidarity.

The former Anambra State governor disclosed that he recently visited Ibadan alongside Pat Utomi to sympathise with the Oyo State government over the incident and discuss the country’s security challenges.

Obi said he was surprised to learn during the visit that Governor Makinde had allegedly not received a phone call from President Tinubu since the abduction occurred.

Drawing comparisons with previous administrations, Obi recalled that former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan regularly communicated with state governors during major security crises.

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He also referenced the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, noting that although former President Jonathan faced widespread criticism for delaying contact with the affected state governor, Tinubu was among those who demanded Jonathan’s resignation at the time.

‎Obi claimed that more than 13 school kidnappings had occurred under the Tinubu administration, alleging that the President had failed to personally engage affected state governors following such incidents.

Describing the situation as evidence of failed governance, Obi said the administration had demonstrated “a total lack of capacity and compassion” in addressing insecurity.

He called on President Tinubu to resign or, alternatively, decline to seek re-election, insisting that his position was motivated by patriotism rather than politics.

“This call is patriotic, not political. A new Nigeria is possible,” Obi said.

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