By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed deep shock over what he described as a total collapse of governance under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, revealing that the President has failed to make a single phone call to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, more than 50 days after school children were abducted in the state.
Obi made this disclosure after taking to his official X handle to post a statement titled “Worsening Leadership Crisis in the Country Now Evident”. In the publication, he explicitly stated that he met with Governor Makinde during a solidarity visit to Ibadan alongside Professor Pat Utomi on Friday, July 3. The meeting, which lasted for two hours, was aimed at showing empathy to the government and people of Oyo State.
In his comprehensive statement, Obi broke down the situation, stating:
“The ultimate cost of uncompassionate leadership, as evident in the country today, is turning citizens’ frustration into deep, volatile resentment. It is even more traumatising when the leader presiding over that collapse demonstrates clear incapacity and a lack of compassion. The government and people of Oyo State, more than 50 days after the abduction of the schoolchildren without any tangible effort toward their rescue, should rightly feel bitter and abandoned.”
He added:
“Since this unfortunate incident, I have spoken publicly about it twice, including appealing directly to the kidnappers to release the children. I also called the Governor twice to assure him of my solidarity, understanding that this issue is not just an Oyo problem but a Nigerian tragedy. On Friday, July 3, I decided to travel to Ibadan with Prof. Pat Utomi to express solidarity with the Governor, as more than 50 days had elapsed without the rescue of the children and with numerous others still being held captive across the country.”
“During our two-hour meeting, I shared my experience in addressing insecurity as Governor of Anambra State. I recalled how President Olusegun Obasanjo, and later Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, would personally call us several times whenever we faced major security challenges. But, to my utmost shock, I discovered that, contrary to my assumption that they had been in regular communication over the matter, Governor Seyi Makinde had not received a single call from President Bola Tinubu.”
“I remember the only case of a school kidnapping during President Goodluck Jonathan’s era – the Chibok girls. It drew local and international attention. Even though the security agencies provided almost daily updates on their efforts, Nigerians and the rest of the world were outraged that it took President Jonathan over two weeks to call the then State chief Executive.
I vividly recall that the current President, Bola Tinubu, led a team of vocal critics who called for President Jonathan’s immediate resignation over the incident, citing his delay in calling the state governor.
That call for IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION should actually be the case in this matter.”
He further stated:
“Today, under President Tinubu, there have been more than 13 school kidnappings, yet the President has found it difficult to call the affected state’s chief executive after more than 50 days (over 7 weeks). This is outrageous. I suspect the same may also have been the case in the other school kidnapping incidents.
I cannot imagine any issue more important than the lives of our kidnapped children, their teachers, and the many other Nigerians being held captive across the country. It is now an indisputable fact that governance has completely collapsed under this administration.”
Obi concluded by asserting:
“The situation reflects a total lack of capacity and compassion, compounded by glaring insensitivity. Amid such an apparent display of incompetence, the President should either resign or, at the very least, abstain from seeking re-election for the sake of our dear country. This call is patriotic, not political. A new Nigeria is POssible.”
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the NDC leader’s remarks, with many Nigerians on social media calling on the federal government to scale up intelligence gathering and security operations to ensure the safe return of the remaining abducted school children.
As at the time of filing this report, the Presidency has yet to issue an official reaction to Peter Obi’s heavy criticisms or the call for the President’s resignation.
