The ongoing violence in Nigeria’s Benue, Kogi, and Taraba States has sparked a call to action from former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. On Wednesday, Obi urged an end to the bloodshed, blaming the Nigerian government’s failure to address insecurity as the root cause of the killings. In a heartfelt message, Obi expressed his deep sorrow over the senseless killings that have plagued these regions, leaving countless lives lost and families devastated.
Obi’s words echoed the sentiments of many Nigerians who are tired of living in fear and uncertainty. He emphasized that the violence is not just a result of lawlessness, but a failure of leadership that has left a gaping wound in the nation’s soul. The recent wave of violence has ravaged communities, claiming the lives of children, women, and even men of faith. The staggering bloodshed, coupled with a weak and muted response from authorities, has raised concerns about the normalization of mass killings, displacement, and the collapse of law and order.
As Obi poignantly noted, each life lost is a tragedy that must not be ignored. He reiterated that the primary duty of the National government is to protect life and property, and when this duty is repeatedly ignored, it raises questions about the kind of nation being built and the future being promised to children. Obi mourned with the people of Taraba, Benue, and Kogi, sharing their grief and pain, but also emphasized the need for urgent action over rhetoric and justice over excuses.
Obi’s message served as a rallying cry for leaders to value human life and defend it with everything they have. He stressed that Nigeria cannot continue down this path and that the current state of affairs is not the Nigeria that Nigerians deserve. With a sense of determination, Obi affirmed that a new Nigeria is possible, one where humanity is reclaimed and bloodshed is ended. As the nation grapples with the enormity of the crisis, Obi’s words underscored the urgent need for collective action to address the root causes of violence and build a safer, more just society for all Nigerians.
