The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over renewed killings across the country, describing the situation as a failure of leadership.
Obi’s reaction follows a fresh midnight attack in Plateau State, where at least three vigilante youths were killed in Pwomol village, Heipang District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. The incident occurred days after Tinubu visited the state and assured residents that such violence would not recur.
In a post shared on X on Monday, Obi recalled the President’s remarks during his visit to Jos on April 2, 2026, where he told grieving citizens, “I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself.”
However, Obi said the latest attack and a series of violent incidents recorded across several states show that the situation has continued to deteriorate.
“Less than 24 hours after President Tinubu stood at the Jos airport and promised, ‘This experience will not repeat itself,’ another brutal attack occurred,” Obi said, referring to the killing of residents in Nyamgo Gyel, Jos South Local Government Area.
He added that the wave of violence has since spread beyond Plateau State.
“Since then, and only a week following that reassuring promise from the President, Nasarawa State has been plunged into grief,” he stated, citing attacks in Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities where, according to him, at least 11 people were killed, homes destroyed, and several residents displaced.
Obi also highlighted a major abduction in Zamfara State, saying, “150 innocent Nigerians were abducted from the Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji communities in one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent times.”
He further noted that on the same day, violence extended to Borno State, where attackers reportedly stormed Chibok, killing security personnel and burning homes.
The former Anambra State governor also referenced fresh incidents in Benue and Kaduna states.
“Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Benue State was rocked by violence again, with over 17 Nigerians massacred… Today, in Kaduna State, several innocent citizens were killed by terrorists inside churches,” he said.
Expressing concern over the continued bloodshed, Obi said the President’s earlier assurance now appears unfulfilled.
“Yet we were told, ‘This experience will not repeat itself.’ This represents a failure of leadership and responsibility, and sadly, Nigerians are paying for it with their lives,” he stated.
He argued that the persistence of attacks suggests that perpetrators are being emboldened.
“These attackers are not ghostly figures; our inaction emboldens them,” Obi said, stressing that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property.
Describing the situation as dire, he warned that Nigeria is facing a deepening security crisis.
“This is a national emergency. Nigeria is bleeding, and the situation is worsening and increasingly helpless,” he added.
Obi concluded his remarks with his signature message: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
His comments come amid growing concern over recurring attacks in Plateau and other parts of the country, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of ongoing security efforts.