“This is a national emergency. Nigeria is bleeding, and the situation is worsening and increasingly helpless,” he said in a post on his X handle titled, “‘This Experience Will Not Repeat Itself’—Another Presidential Promise Fails in Less Than 24 Hours.”
Obi, who was the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, cited recent reports of killings, abductions, and destruction by gunmen in Plateau, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Borno, Benue, and Kaduna states, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assurance that the violence in Plateau would not recur.
The former Anambra State governor said the situation reflects a failure of leadership, lamenting that Nigerians are paying for it with their lives.
According to him, the attackers are not invisible, stressing that inaction has emboldened them. He questioned how such a firm assurance could be made, only for the country to witness fresh killings within hours.
Obi reiterated that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property, adding that this duty is being undermined as Nigerians are attacked in their homes, communities, and places of worship.
He also questioned the level of safety in the country, noting concerns over access to affected communities.
Despite his concerns, Obi maintained that a new Nigeria remains possible.
In the post, he wrote: “Less than 24 hours after President Tinubu stood at the Jos, Plateau State airport on April 2, 2026, and promised grieving Nigerians, ‘I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,’ another brutal attack occurred in Nyamgo Gyel, Jos South LGA, resulting in the deaths of several innocent citizens.
“Since then, and only a week after that reassurance, Nasarawa State has been plunged into grief as the Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities fled for their lives after gunmen killed at least 11 people. Many homes were burnt, and numerous families remain missing.
“In Zamfara State, about 150 Nigerians were abducted from the Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji communities in one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent times. On the same day, terrorists in Borno State attacked Chibok, killing four officers and burning homes.
“On Easter Sunday, Benue State was again hit by violence, with over 17 people killed, communities destroyed, and many still unaccounted for.
“In Kaduna State, several citizens were killed in attacks on churches, while others were abducted in Ariko community, Kachia LGA.
“Yet we were told, ‘This experience will not repeat itself.’”
