Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said the reported evacuation of United States embassy staff from Nigeria over rising insecurity reflects a deepening loss of international confidence in the country’s security architecture and leadership.
Obi, in a statement on Friday, warned that the development should not be treated as routine diplomatic action but as a serious signal of global concern about Nigeria’s worsening security situation and governance challenges.
He said the move could further damage Nigeria’s international reputation, discourage foreign investment, and strain already fragile diplomatic and economic relations.
Describing the situation as alarming, Obi noted that Nigeria’s security crisis has continued to deteriorate despite repeated warnings, adding that the country’s global ranking on terrorism underscores the urgency of decisive action.
He also referenced reports of continued attacks in parts of the country, including the killing of a senior military officer in Borno State, as further evidence of the scale of insecurity.
According to him, the inability of citizens to live and move safely undermines national progress and weakens investor confidence.
Obi criticised what he described as governance failures, arguing that the core responsibility of protecting lives and property has not been sufficiently met, placing additional pressure on the armed forces.
He further warned that political distractions at a time of rising insecurity reflect misplaced priorities, stressing that no nation can thrive without security and stability.
“The U.S. directive is a stark signal of declining confidence in our national security architecture,” he said.
Obi urged leaders to treat the situation as a national emergency and refocus attention on securing the country, warning that continued deterioration would have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s future.
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