Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised serious concerns over the United States’ recent directive to evacuate non-essential embassy staff from Nigeria due to rising insecurity.
In a strongly worded statement, Obi described the move as a clear signal of “fading international confidence” in Nigeria’s security architecture and leadership.
This comes amid ongoing security concerns, including the Palm Sunday attack in Jos that left 20 dead and earlier multiple explosions in Maiduguri.
He warned that when a major global power like the United States begins pulling out staff for safety reasons, it sends a damaging message to investors, diplomats, and the international community about the state of safety in the country.
Obi noted that the evacuation is not an isolated incident but part of a growing pattern of foreign missions and organizations expressing worry over the worsening security situation across different parts of Nigeria.
He pointed out that frequent attacks, kidnappings, and banditry have made many parts of the country unsafe, even for locals.
The former Anambra State governor urged the federal government to treat the development with the seriousness it deserves.
According to him, rather than dismissing such warnings, the government should see them as a wake-up call to urgently address the root causes of insecurity, including poor governance, unemployment, and weak institutions.
Obi also criticized what he described as a “business-as-usual” approach to national security, calling for immediate and decisive action to restore confidence both locally and internationally.
He stressed that a country that cannot guarantee the safety of its own citizens will struggle to attract meaningful investment or maintain strong diplomatic ties.
This latest comment from Peter Obi adds to the growing voices of concern from prominent Nigerians about the country’s security challenges.
Many citizens continue to demand better protection and more effective strategies from the government to tackle banditry, terrorism, and other forms of violence.
As the situation unfolds, the federal government is yet to issue an official response to the US evacuation directive or Obi’s statement.