Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has stated that Nigerians deserve to live in peace, not under the threat of terrorism, citing a severe breakdown of governance in the face of widespread insecurity.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the comments in a post on his verified X account on Sunday. He was reacting to reports from Sokoto State, where residents of communities like Borgaja were reportedly ordered to vacate their homes by terrorist groups.
He described such incidents as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” arguing they demonstrate a dangerous shift in authority. “What we are witnessing… reflects a complete breakdown of governance and humanity,” Obi wrote. He contended that non-state actors have effectively assumed state powers, deciding where citizens can live.
“How did we get to a point where Nigerians are taking instructions from terrorists instead of their government?” he asked. Obi reiterated his long-held view that national development is impossible in an atmosphere of fear, declaring the situation a “national emergency” rather than a localized security concern.
His statement underscores the persistent challenge of insecurity in Northern Nigeria, where communities have frequently faced attacks and displacements by extremist groups. By framing the issue as a fundamental failure of state authority, Obi calls for urgent, coordinated action to restore government control and protect citizens.
The comments from the prominent opposition figure add pressure on the federal government to address the security vacuum, reaffirming that the protection of lives and property remains the state’s primary obligation. The situation in Sokoto and similar regions continues to test Nigeria’s capacity to maintain sovereignty within its own territory.
