Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has described the recent evacuation directive issued by the U.S. Department of State as a troubling indication of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, warning that it poses serious implications for the nation’s future.
In a statement released on Thursday, April 9, Obi said the decision by the United States to withdraw embassy staff from Abuja should be treated as a national emergency, particularly for a country already facing challenges in attracting foreign investment.
He noted that Nigeria’s security concerns have continued to escalate despite global assessments already ranking the country among those most affected by terrorism. According to him, the situation has led to persistent loss of lives and left many communities under constant threat.
The former Anambra State governor criticised what he described as a failure of governance, arguing that political interests appear to have taken precedence over the safety and well-being of citizens. He said the current state of affairs reflects a lack of effective leadership needed to address the country’s pressing security challenges.
Obi further warned that the U.S. directive signals declining international confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture, stressing that such perceptions could further erode investor trust and confidence in the country.
Referencing reports of fresh casualties in the North-East, including the death of a senior military officer, he maintained that a nation where people cannot live, work, worship, or travel safely cannot achieve meaningful progress or attract investment.
He emphasised that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property, lamenting that successive leadership failures have continued to place immense pressure on security forces.
Drawing a stark comparison, Obi cautioned against misplaced priorities among political leaders, warning that without security, there can be no nation to govern and no future to build.
