US security alert on Nigeria a bad omen for investment, stability – Peter Obi

Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has raised concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation following the United States’ decision to authorise the evacuation of some of its embassy staff from the country.

Reacting to the development in a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Obi described the directive as a troubling signal that should be treated as a national emergency, particularly for a country struggling to attract foreign investment.

According to him, the move by the United States reflects declining confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture and underscores the urgent need for government action.

“The recent directive by the United States to evacuate its embassy staff from Nigeria due to rising insecurity is deeply worrisome and should be treated as a national emergency, especially for a country already struggling to attract investors,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor noted that Nigeria’s security challenges have continued to escalate despite the country already ranking fourth on the Global Terrorism Index.

He lamented that communities across the country remain under constant threat, with lives being lost while governance appears unable to effectively address the crisis.

“There is a glaring absence of effective governance. Instead, what prevails are schemes that undermine democratic processes, as though politics has taken precedence over the safety of citizens,” he stated.

Obi also linked the U.S. directive to broader concerns about Nigeria’s stability and its ability to create a safe environment for citizens and investors.

“The U.S. directive is a clear signal of declining confidence in our national security architecture. A nation where people cannot live, work, worship, or travel safely cannot progress or attract investment,” he said.

The former presidential candidate further expressed concern over reports that a brigadier general of the Nigerian Army was killed by terrorists in Borno State, describing the incident as another tragic reminder of the country’s fragile security situation.

He said the persistent attacks have placed enormous pressure on members of the armed forces who continue to make sacrifices in the line of duty.

“The primary duty of any government is the protection of lives and property, yet in this regard we as leaders have fallen short over the years. Our failure continues to place immense strain on our troops, who make the ultimate sacrifices,” Obi said.

Obi also criticised what he described as the political class’s focus on partisan interests while the country grapples with deepening insecurity.

“Sadly, as Nigeria deteriorates, we as leaders, like Nero, remain preoccupied with politics, forgetting that without security there is no nation to govern and no future to campaign for,” he added.

The United States recently issued a security advisory warning its citizens about rising insecurity in Nigeria and authorised the departure of non-emergency government personnel from its embassy in Abuja.

Obi concluded by reiterating his call for urgent reforms to address the country’s security challenges, stressing that Nigeria must prioritise the safety of its citizens in order to restore confidence and rebuild the nation’s future.