Former Anambra State governor and political leader, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his planned trip to the United Kingdom, urging him to prioritise Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Obi condemned the recent suicide bombings in Maiduguri, which left at least 23 people dead and several others injured. He described the country as “a nation under siege,” stressing that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government.
According to him, the coordinated nature of the attacks—reportedly carried out in public areas including markets and near hospitals—underscores a troubling trend of escalating insecurity across the country.
“The nation is once again engulfed in grief and outrage,” Obi said, warning against what he described as the growing normalisation of violence and lack of decisive action.
The former presidential candidate also pointed to a broader pattern of insecurity affecting multiple states, including Kwara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Plateau, Sokoto, Benue, and even parts of the Federal Capital Territory. He cited reports from Katsina State, where some communities are allegedly forced to pay “peace taxes” to armed groups to avoid attacks.
Obi called on President Tinubu to suspend his UK engagement and visit affected communities, insisting that the current situation demands direct leadership and urgent intervention.
“This is a moment that tests not just our security systems but the very essence of leadership,” he stated.
However, the Presidency pushed back against Obi’s remarks. Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala dismissed the criticism, arguing that governance involves delegation and coordination across multiple security agencies.
Bwala noted that the president, as Commander-in-Chief, is supported by the vice president, ministers, and heads of security agencies, who are actively addressing internal threats.
He described Obi’s comments as lacking an understanding of how government operates, adding that security agencies have already been mobilised to respond to the situation.
The exchange comes amid renewed concerns over Nigeria’s security landscape following the deadly attacks in Maiduguri, highlighting ongoing debates about leadership priorities and crisis management.