Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State following recent insecurity incidents, describing the move as rushed and poorly thought out.
In a statement posted on his X handle titled “What Our Pervasive Insecurity Requires: A Holistic Not Reactive Approach,” Obi said the decision reflects “poor leadership” and a pattern of reacting to crises instead of addressing root causes.
He said, “In a hasty effort to be perceived as attentive and courageous, it is reported that President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of about 1000 forest guards for Oyo State.” He added that this shows “poor leadership and attending to very serious governance and security issues with a reactive approach.”
Obi acknowledged that increasing security personnel is necessary but insisted it must be done in an organised manner. He warned that insecurity is widespread across Nigeria, noting that states such as Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo, and Sokoto are all affected.
He questioned the consistency of the policy, asking whether other states would also get similar approval, saying, “Is the recruitment approval based on the mood of the President?” He also raised concerns about existing regional security structures like the Amotekun Corps and whether they would be affected.
Obi concluded that Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is tied to deeper governance failures, stressing that “addressing our insecurity situation requires a holistic or ecosystem approach,” and linking the problem to broader issues in leadership, economic management, and national development.
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