Peter Obi Urges President Tinubu to Cut Short France Retreat and Address Nigeria’s Security Crisis
Peter Obi Urges President Tinubu to Cut Short France Retreat and Address Nigeria’s Security Crisis
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, called on President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday to halt his retreat in France and return immediately to tackle the escalating communal violence and killings in Nigeria.
Obi made this appeal through a statement shared on his official X account, highlighting the urgency of the situation at home. His request comes just days after the presidency denied rumors suggesting that Tinubu’s trip to France was for medical reasons, emphasizing instead that it was a working visit.
Daniel Bwala, the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, elaborated on this clarification during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, countering claims by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore that the trip was health-related.
While Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the president, who left on April 2, is expected back in Nigeria in about two weeks, Sowore persisted in alleging that the visit was for medical treatment.
Obi warned that the president’s prolonged absence could worsen the nation’s already rising insecurity. He stated, “I feel compelled, at this crucial time for our nation, to urge our retreating President to focus on the security challenges at home and to return immediately to address the alarming situation.”
He continued, “In just the two weeks that he has been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives due to insecurity, particularly in Plateau and Zamfara states. The recurring pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta also signal a nation in crisis.
“In the Northeast, leaders in Borno State are lamenting a resurgence of insurgency, resulting in fatalities among both troops and civilians. The situation in the Southeast is no better, with ongoing killings and abductions. Amid all this turmoil, the leader of our troubled nation is retreating in a distant land in France instead of confronting the issues head-on.
“I therefore strongly urge Mr. President to suspend whatever activities he is engaged in abroad and return home to take responsibility for these pressing matters. This is the action the new Nigeria demands.”
