Peter Obi Says Nigeria’s Violence Worse Than in Countries Officially at War

 

In a post shared on X on Sunday, Peter Obi said the level of violence across Nigeria now surpasses that of countries officially at war.

He condemned what he called a “politics of zero humanity,” accusing political leaders of focusing on 2027 election strategies instead of prioritising the safety and welfare of citizens.

Obi described it as deeply troubling that while politicians concentrate on winning the next election, reports indicate that more than 1,000 Nigerians have been killed and thousands abducted within the first two months of 2026 alone.

“This is the painful reality confronting our nation. From Zamfara State to Kwara, Ondo, Kebbi, Edo, Benue, Adamawa, Plateau, and many other states, families have buried loved ones, and communities have been emptied by gunshots and fear.

The former Anambra State governor alleged that more than 25 states across the country had been affected by attacks carried out by bandits and other terrorist groups, lamenting that the crisis had yet to receive the necessary attention from the relevant authorities.

“In over 25 states across all geopolitical zones this year alone, there have been major violent attacks on innocent citizens, kidnappings by armed bandits, mass shootings, village invasions, and brazen assaults on worshippers and travellers.

“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 stated.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain noted with dismay that while leaders were engrossed in debates about power sharing, Nigerians were busy sharing funeral programmes.

Obi stressed the need for authorities to elevate human life to what he described as “sacred status in our national priorities”, cautioning that leadership is not about winning elections but saving lives.

“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.”

“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.

“History will not remember how many strategies we perfected for 2027; it will remember whether we acted when Nigerians were dying. We must choose Nigerian lives over politics. We must put Nigerians first.” Obi added.