Uche Amunike
Lifeandtimes News Writer
The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, has condemned the focus of Nigerian politicians on the incoming 2027 elections, despite the rising insecurity being experienced in the country, nationwide .
Speaking, through a statement he posted, Sunday, on his official ex handle, he stated that the first two months of 2026 had reportedly seen the killing of over 1000 Nigerians and the abduction of several others.
He stated: ‘It is profoundly disturbing that while we, the politicians, continue to obsess over the 2027 elections—spending our energy scheming about how to capture, grab, and run the next election—the first two months of 2026 have reportedly seen the killing of over 1,000 Nigerians and the abduction of several thousand others.’
While citing incidents in Zamfara, Ondo, Edo, Kebbi, Plateau, Adamawa Benue where where families have buried their loved ones with many communities being emptied as a result of gunshot attacks and fear, Peter Gregory Obi described the situation as a sad reality plaguing the nation.
According to him, more than 25 states across all the geopolitical zones in the country, have experienced major violent attacks on innocent citizens this 2026, as well as kidnappings by bandits, village invasions, assaults on worshipers and travelers, as well as mass shootings.
Hear him: ‘The scale of bloodshed and the number of deaths in just two months in Nigeria are even worse than what we see in countries officially at war.’
‘Yet the urgency with which we discuss these tragedies does not match the urgency of our discussions surrounding zoning formulas, party structures, and campaign strategies.’
He reiterated: ‘We debate power sharing while citizens are sharing funeral programs. I watched in tears yesterday as families in the Doruwa Babuje community in Plateau State buried their dead after attacks by armed terrorists, but our media and leaders were focused on discussions about party issues and the 2027 elections, when we aren’t even sure we will be alive to see it, given all the deaths happening in our country today. We strategise about 2027 while Nigerians struggle to survive 2026. This is inhumane.’
He mentioned that leadership should make the protection of lives a greater priority, than electoral considerations.
His words: ‘We must elevate human life to a sacred status in our national priorities. Leadership is not about winning elections; it is about saving lives.’
‘We can, and we must, aspire to a Nigeria devoid of bloodshed—a Nigeria where governance is measured not by political dominance but by the safety and dignity of its people.’
He further maintained that history will judge leaders by their response to the crisis.
Part of the recent incidents of insecurity being alluded to by Mr Peter Gregory Obi, is the attack in Tungan Dutse Village, February, in Zamfara State, where gunmen killed at least 50 people and abducted women and children.
Similar violence that has contributed to mass displacement and widespread fear has also been documented in plateau state as well as other states.
