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The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted strongly to the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, warning that the development should awaken every patriotic Nigerian to the gravity of the moment.

In a detailed statement on his verified X handle, Obi said the American government’s decision, which also suggests the possibility of U.S. military action in Nigeria if the situation deteriorates, “should give every well-meaning Nigerian serious concern.”

Obi lamented that what is happening in Nigeria today is no ordinary security challenge but an unprecedented national calamity that has reached horrifying proportions.

He wrote: “There is no doubt that Nigeria is experiencing an unprecedented level of insecurity with attendant carnage and the most shocking loss of lives and property. According to Amnesty International, over 10,000 people have been killed in Nigeria since May 2023 and as I have repeatedly lamented, the unwarranted and unprovoked killing of Nigerians is most condemnable, and all efforts must be made to bring it to a stop.”

The former governor of Anambra State emphasised that Nigeria’s tragic situation is not only tragic — but avoidable.

He stated emphatically that: “It is equally important to state that the terrible situation is significantly avoidable with competent leadership and governance.”

Obi acknowledged that insecurity predates the current administration but insisted that the Buhari-Tinubu years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) represent a collapse of moral leadership and responsible governance.

He wrote: “While the insecurity did not start with the present government, what is most unfortunate is the lack and absence of competence, commitment, prudent use of resources, patriotism and passion on the part of APC APC-led government/leaders to effectively govern, galvanise and lead Nigeria where no one is unwarrantedly oppressed and killed, a Nation where peace, truth and justice reign!”

The Labour Party’s 2023 standard-bearer underscored Nigeria’s longstanding strategic relationship with the United States — a partnership dating back decades across security, economic cooperation and regional stability.

He warned that it must not be allowed to collapse.

According to him:
“As democracies, Nigeria and the US have long been strategic partners committed to regional peace and security. That relationship should not falter.”

Calling for calm, responsible engagement and statesmanship — not panic, propaganda or defensiveness — Obi urged both Abuja and Washington to move beyond public statements and take constructive action.

He declared that the moment demands sophisticated diplomacy and collaborative national interest, particularly in a season where lives are being lost daily.

In his words:

“The present situation calls for constructive diplomatic and any other plausible engagement by both nations aimed at addressing the prevailing and disturbing security concerns. Both countries must work in concert and expeditiously towards that purpose.”

Observers note that Obi’s intervention comes at a time when nationwide outrage, anxiety and finger-pointing have followed Trump’s announcement — with some political actors dismissing the designation as foreign meddling.

But Obi avoided the toxic nationalist rhetoric and focused instead on the deeper issues — leadership failure, broken governance structures, reckless mismanagement, and the sanctity of Nigerian lives.

His message was clear: the real shame is not the U.S. designation — but the fact that Nigeria has deteriorated to a point where such a designation has become thinkable in the first place.

And he insisted — the nation must face the truth.

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