The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has broken his silence on United States (US) President Donald Trump’s threat to invade Nigeria, describing the statement as alarming and calling for urgent diplomatic engagement between both nations.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Obi said Trump’s remarks should serve as a wake-up call to Nigerian leaders to confront the country’s worsening insecurity with seriousness and integrity.
Trump, in a fiery message on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, accused Nigeria’s government of tolerating what he called "Christian genocide."
He claimed to have instructed the Pentagon to prepare a military plan for possible intervention, warning that any US strike would be "fast, vicious, and sweet."
Obi believed Nigeria’s recent classification by the US as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and Trump’s subsequent threat should not be taken lightly.
According to him, the development explained how far insecurity has eroded the country’s international reputation.
"There is no doubt that Nigeria is experiencing an unprecedented level of insecurity with attendant carnage and a shocking loss of lives and property. According to Amnesty International, over 10,000 people have been killed in Nigeria since May 2023. These killings are unjustifiable, inhumane, and must be stopped through effective and responsible leadership," he said.
The former Anambra State governor blamed what he termed the "governance deficit" under the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the country’s persistent security failures.
"While the insecurity did not start with the present government, what is most troubling is the lack of competence, commitment, and patriotism among those entrusted with leadership. A nation cannot thrive where lives are lost daily and justice remains elusive," he said.
Obi, however, appealed for restraint, urging both countries to strengthen their longstanding diplomatic ties instead of resorting to threats or military confrontation.
"As democracies, Nigeria and the United States have a long history of partnership in promoting peace and security. That bond must not be fractured. The current situation calls for constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts to tackle the root causes of insecurity," he said.
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