JOS, Nigeria — The former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has issued a sharp rebuke of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding a fresh wave of violence across the country. This criticism follows the president’s recent public assurance that the cycle of killings in Plateau State, located in North Central Nigeria, would be brought to an end.
Okay News reports that the security situation remains dire despite the executive branch’s commitments. Peter Obi expressed his concerns on Monday, April 6, 2026, noting that the resurgence of fatal attacks within a day of the president’s promise indicates a significant failure in leadership. While visiting Jos, the capital of Plateau State, on Thursday, April 2, 2026, President Tinubu had addressed victims of previous violence, stating, “I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself.”
However, less than 24 hours after that declaration, a brutal assault was reported in Nyamgo Gyel, a community within the Jos South Local Government Area. The violence resulted in numerous casualties and has since extended beyond Plateau State. Reports indicate that insecurity has spiked in several other regions, including Nasarawa, Zamfara, Borno, Benue, and Kaduna states. These areas have seen a rise in abductions, killings, and the destruction of private property.
In a public statement, Peter Obi highlighted the disconnect between government rhetoric and the reality on the ground. He stated, “This represents a failure of leadership and responsibility, and sadly, Nigerians are paying for it with their lives.” He emphasized that the fundamental duty of the federal government of Nigeria is to ensure the safety of its citizens, a mandate he believes is currently not being met.
The former governor described the current state of the nation as a national emergency, noting that citizens are being targeted in their homes and communities. “The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property; however, this responsibility is failing today. Nigerians are being slaughtered in their homes, in their communities, and in the very places they should feel safest,” Obi said. As the death toll rises and more families are displaced, the pressure on the administration to move beyond verbal assurances to actionable security measures continues to mount.
