He decried the scale and frequency of violent incidents in the country, ranging from attacks on worshippers to the killing of protesters and renewed bandit attacks in the North-West.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has lamented over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, saying that the country has become “a nation of unending tragedy” amid recurring violence and loss of lives across several states.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi, former Anambra State Governor in Nigeria’s South-East region, expressed grief over recent incidents in Adamawa, Anambra, and Sokoto states, noting that Nigerians have once again been plunged into mourning.
“In the last few days, our nation has once again been thrown into mourning by a series of heartbreaking tragedies across Adamawa, Anambra, and Sokoto tsates,” Obi said.
He decried the scale and frequency of violent incidents in the country, ranging from attacks on worshippers to the killing of protesters and renewed bandit attacks in the North-West.
“From the killing of innocent worshippers, to the deaths of 7 peaceful women protesters in Adamawa, to the continued attacks by bandits in Sokoto that have claimed the lives of seven more Nigerians, we are confronted with the painful daily reality that insecurity continues to threaten the very soul of our nation,” he stated.
Obi warned that no nation aspiring to development could normalise such levels of violence.
Reiterating his long-held position on national security, the former Anambra governor stressed that safety remains the bedrock of development.
According to him, insecurity cripples essential sectors of society.
“Without security, our schools cannot function, our farms cannot thrive, our businesses cannot grow, and our people cannot live with dignity,” Obi added.
He cited recent killings in Anambra as evidence of failure to safeguard places of worship, while noting that the deaths of women protesters in Adamawa highlighted eroding public trust in security agencies.
“The tragic killings in Anambra show a failure to protect places of worship and innocent citizens going about their lives,” he said.
On Sokoto, Obi said persistent banditry shows a gap between official promises and reality.
“And the killings in Sokoto demonstrate how banditry and terrorism continue to ravage parts of the North-West despite repeated promises of action,” he said.
He called for leadership that values human life and ensures justice.
“Nigeria cannot continue like this,” Obi said, urging leaders to prioritise the protection of every citizen, regardless of region, religion, gender, or social status.
He said, “We need leadership that prioritises the protection of every Nigerian life, regardless of region, religion, gender, or social status, and we deserve leaders who would provide justice for innocent citizens who are facing these calamities every day.”
Beyond security, Obi identified poverty, unemployment, weak institutions, and lack of opportunity as drivers of instability, stressing the need for investments in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
“A nation where millions are left behind will always struggle with unrest. That is why I continue to emphasise the importance of investing in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment,” he said.
A Nation of an unending tragedy
In the last few days, our nation has once again been thrown into mourning by a series of heartbreaking tragedies across Adamawa, Anambra, and Sokoto States. From the killing of innocent worshippers, to the deaths of 7 peaceful women protesters in…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) December 9, 2025
He stressed that a secure nation is one where citizens are educated, healthy, economically included, and confident that justice will be served when wrongs are committed.
Obi called for national resolve and accountability, saying, “As we mourn the lives lost, we must also renew our commitment to building a Nigeria where such tragedies become a thing of the past.”
Condoling with families and victims of insecurity in Nigeria, Obi said, “May the souls of all those we have lost rest in peace.
“May their families find comfort. And may we, as a nation, find the courage to demand and build a safer, secure, and more united Nigeria.”