TDFormer presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he describes as a “failure of leadership” following a series of violent attacks across Nigeria.
Obi’s remarks follow a promise by the President on April 2, 2026, in Jos, Plateau State, to prevent future attacks.
Obi said the promise has already been broken.
Presidential Promise Broken in Less Than 24 Hours, Says Peter Obi
On April 2, President Tinubu addressed citizens at Jos Plateau State Airport, assuring them:
“I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself.”
However, less than a day later, Nyamgo Gyel in Jos South Local Government Area experienced a brutal attack.
The attack resulted in the deaths of several innocent residents.
Obi highlighted the rapid recurrence of violence as evidence of failing government protection, saying,
“Yet we were told, ‘This experience will not repeat itself.’
“This represents a failure of leadership and responsibility, and sadly, Nigerians are paying for it with their lives.”
Violence Spreads Across Multiple States
Nasarawa State
Only a week after the Jos attacks, Nasarawa State faced a deadly wave of violence.
Gunmen attacked the Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities, killing at least 11 people.
Many homes were set ablaze, and families remain missing, forcing residents to flee into neighboring towns.
Zamfara and Borno States
In Zamfara State, approximately 150 individuals were abducted from Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji in one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent memory.
On the same day, insurgents in Chibok, Borno State, killed four security officers and burned homes.
The attack reignited fears over the resilience of terrorist networks in the Northeast.
Benue State
Easter Sunday was marred by violence in Benue State, with over 17 citizens massacred.
Entire communities were destroyed, and many residents remain unaccounted for, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the Middle Belt region.
Kaduna State
In Kaduna, terrorists attacked churches in the Ariko community of Kachia Local Government Area, killing several worshippers and abducting others.
The targeting of religious sites underscores the vulnerability of civilians even in their places of worship.
Peter Obi Condemns Inaction and Leadership Failures
Obi’s statement condemns what he describes as government inaction:
“These attackers are not ghostly figures; our inaction emboldens them.
“How can a President make such a categorical promise and, mere hours later, the nation continues to count the dead across multiple states?”
He stressed that the primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property, a responsibility that he argues is currently failing.
Nigerians, according to Obi, are being slaughtered in their homes, communities, and even in the places where they should feel safest.
Peter Obi Calls for Urgent Action
Obi described the current situation as a “national emergency,” stating:
“Nigeria is bleeding, and the situation is worsening and increasingly helpless. A New Nigeria is possible.”
His remarks are a call for more decisive action by the federal government to safeguard citizens and restore public confidence in national security.
The wave of attacks highlights persistent security gaps across Nigeria.
From Plateau to Kaduna, the nation continues to face threats from armed groups, insurgents, and bandits.
Obi’s criticism underscores growing frustration among political leaders and citizens alike.
It emphasized the urgent need for effective security strategies, rapid response mechanisms, and accountable governance to stem the tide of violence.
