The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for collective national action to address the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, warning that the country must not become desensitised to violent attacks and security failures across the country.
He warned that Nigeria risks gradually normalising tragedy and persistent insecurity if citizens fail to demand accountability, sustain pressure on leaders, and insist on decisive action to address the country’s security challenges.
The former Anambra Governor’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over rising cases of mass abductions, killings, and attacks in different parts of the country, as well as growing public debate over what many describe as a gradual normalisation of insecurity and declining national outrage in response to such incidents.
Obi made the call in a statement on Friday, in which he reflected on the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, noting that the incident once triggered global outrage, united Nigerians, and attracted significant international attention through the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
He, however, expressed concern that the level of attention and public outrage that followed such incidents in the past has declined, despite a rise in similar attacks across the country.
According to him, Nigeria witnessed about ten school abductions during the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, while more than ten similar incidents have already been recorded within three years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Despite these repeated tragedies, there has been neither sustained national outrage nor significant international attention comparable to what followed Chibok. This raises an important question: have we become so accustomed to insecurity that what once shocked our national conscience is now treated as normal?,” he questioned.
He also criticised what he described as a shift in focus by political leaders towards election-related activities, rather than addressing pressing security and economic challenges facing citizens.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s challenges, Obi rejected attempts to label the country negatively, noting that persistent insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership failures have affected its image and global standing.
He, however, stressed that the solution lies in competent, compassionate, and accountable leadership committed to the welfare and security of citizens, rather than denial or political distractions.
Obi further urged Nigerians, particularly young people, not to accept insecurity as normal, calling for renewed national consciousness and collective resistance to failure in governance.
“Young Nigerians must not become indifferent. We must refuse to normalise failure,” he said.