Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has described the recent directive by the United States to evacuate its embassy staff from Nigeria over worsening insecurity as a troubling development that reflects declining international confidence in the country’s security system and leadership.
In a statement issued on Friday, Obi said the situation should be treated as a national emergency, warning that its implications extend beyond security concerns to Nigeria’s global image and economic prospects.
He noted that the development comes at a time when the country is already facing challenges in attracting foreign investment, stressing that the evacuation directive sends a negative signal to the international community.
According to him, “The recent directive by the United States to evacuate its embassy staff from Nigeria over rising insecurity is deeply troubling and ought to be treated as a national emergency, particularly for a country already struggling to attract investment.”
Obi further expressed concern over Nigeria’s position on the Global Terrorism Index, stating that the country currently ranks fourth, while the security situation continues to worsen across several parts of the nation.
He lamented the continued loss of lives and the persistent threats faced by many communities, saying that many Nigerians can no longer live, work, worship, or travel without fear.
The former Anambra State governor also criticised what he described as a failure in governance, accusing the nation’s leadership of prioritising politics over the safety and welfare of citizens.
“There is a glaring absence of effective governance; instead, we are witnessing actions that undermine democratic processes, as though politics has taken precedence over the safety and welfare of citizens,” he said.
Obi described the U.S. evacuation order as a stark indication of weakening trust in Nigeria’s security architecture, warning that no nation can make meaningful progress under such conditions.
He added that insecurity remains a major obstacle to national development and investor confidence, stressing that a country where citizens do not feel safe cannot inspire economic growth.
“A nation where citizens cannot live, work, worship, or travel safely cannot make progress or inspire investor confidence,” he stated.
Reiterating the fundamental duty of government, Obi said the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of any administration, adding that Nigerian leaders have consistently fallen short in this regard.
He noted that the failure of leadership has continued to place enormous pressure on the nation’s armed forces, who continue to make significant sacrifices in the line of duty.
“The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. In this regard, we as leaders have consistently fallen short. This failure continues to place immense strain on our armed forces, who bear the burden and make the ultimate sacrifices,” he added.
Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over U.S. Embassy Staff Evacuation, Calls Insecurity a National Emergency
