Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi has described January as a “deeply distressing” month for Nigeria, citing worsening insecurity, failing education and power supply, and what he called misplaced governance priorities by the federal government.
In a statement shared on his verified X account on Sunday, Obi warned that the first month of the year has highlighted the country’s mounting challenges, with conditions deteriorating across multiple sectors.
According to Obi, nationwide insecurity surged in January, with reports of multiple killings and hundreds of kidnappings and abductions.
Victims included children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, with abductors allegedly demanding millions of naira in ransom.
He noted that persistent insecurity has prevented many farmers from returning to their farms, exacerbating food shortages and deepening rural poverty.
Obi also expressed concern over the state of education, describing it as the foundation of national development.
He lamented that millions of Nigerian children remain out of school, while others are frequently unable to attend classes due to insecurity or teachers’ strikes.
The former Anambra State governor described Abuja’s situation as “particularly tragic,” highlighting that schools remain closed despite billions of naira spent on renovating a conference centre and constructing bus terminals.
On infrastructure, Obi pointed to the country’s electricity crisis, noting that Nigeria already among nations with the poorest access to power—experienced two national grid collapses within the month.
The former governor also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s travel schedule, contrasting it with countries where leaders prioritise domestic governance at the start of the year.
Obi noted that the president spent 23 days abroad in January across two trips, questioning the urgency of such absences amid pressing national challenges.
“The collective impact of these events paints a grim portrait of a nation grappling with insecurity, economic distress, failing infrastructure, and profound social upheaval,” Obi said.
He further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of focusing more on political calculations, rallies, and welcoming defectors than addressing the daily struggles of Nigerians.
