Peter Obi has weighed in on the United States’ decision to designate Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” saying the pronouncement and talk of possible military action should alarm every well-meaning Nigerian. In a statement shared on his verified handle, the former Anambra governor acknowledged the depth of the crisis, citing figures he attributed to Amnesty International that more than 10,000 people have been killed since May 2023. He condemned the unwarranted and unprovoked killings and urged a national effort to stop them, while arguing that much of the tragedy is avoidable with competent leadership and responsible governance.
“Let diplomacy do the heavy lifting.”
Anonymous
What we Know
Obi stressed that insecurity did not begin under the current administration, yet he faulted what he described as a deficit of competence, commitment, prudent resource use, patriotism, and passion by those in charge. In his view, effective leadership should rally institutions, manage resources carefully, and protect citizens without fear or favor. He linked stable security to consistent policy, transparent budgeting, and a professional security architecture that coordinates intelligence, policing, and justice, and that holds wrongdoers accountable.
Responding to the US posture, Obi urged both countries to keep their long-standing partnership focused on regional peace and security. He argued that the moment calls for constructive diplomacy and other workable forms of engagement, not rhetoric that raises temperatures. He said Nigeria and the US should move quickly to address concrete security problems through cooperation that respects sovereignty, and that any outside support should reinforce reforms already underway within Nigeria’s security sector.
What Happening
Obi framed the issue as larger than politics. He said the killings of Nigerians, whether in rural communities or cities, demand empathy for victims and a steady plan that reduces violence over time. He pressed for better early-warning systems in hot-spot areas, improved protection of schools and markets, and targeted development programs that reduce the incentives that armed groups exploit. He also called for better care for survivors and families, including compensation, counseling, and access to justice.
The former governor linked security to accountability and data. He encouraged authorities to publish credible figures on attacks, arrests, prosecutions, and convictions, backed by independent audits, so the public can see what is improving and where gaps remain. He said accurate information calms speculation, builds trust, and helps partners tailor help that actually works on the ground.
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Obi cautioned against framing the crisis through a narrow religious lens. He said violence has affected Christians and Muslims, and that divisive narratives only serve the interests of those who profit from chaos. He urged faith leaders, traditional rulers, community groups, and the media to keep citizens united, emphasize verified facts, and avoid language that pits neighbors against one another.
Facts
On governance, Obi argued that Nigeria can make meaningful progress by tightening procurement for security spending, investing in personnel and equipment where audits show the greatest need, and coordinating federal, state, and local responses. He urged reforms that speed up criminal cases tied to mass violence, protect witnesses, and recover assets tied to crime. He also called for modern tools, including better surveillance, community policing with proper oversight, and data-driven deployment that puts officers where risks are highest.
Looking outward, he said Nigeria should deepen work with partners on intelligence sharing, arms interdiction, and border management, and expand development projects that create jobs in areas vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups. He added that Nigeria’s diplomacy should be active and clear, presenting facts, outlining a plan, and requesting specific support that strengthens domestic capacity rather than substitutes for it.
Obi closed by urging calm and collective action. He said the path to peace runs through competent leadership, honest data, and cooperation at home and abroad. The goal, he said, is a country where people are safe, rights are protected, and justice holds, and where international partnerships help Nigerians achieve that result, not inflame an already painful moment.
