mnFormer presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on Nigeria’s political leaders to stop focusing on the 2027 general elections and give urgent attention to the rising wave of killings and abductions across the country.
In a statement posted on his official X handle, Obi expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity in many states. He warned that while politicians are busy planning for 2027, many Nigerians are struggling to stay alive in 2026.
According to him, more than 1,000 Nigerians have reportedly been killed in the first two months of 2026 alone. He also said several thousands have been abducted by armed groups operating in different parts of the country.
“From Zamfara 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,” he wrote.
Obi described the level of violence as shocking. He said the situation in parts of Nigeria now appears worse than in some countries that are officially at war. He noted that attacks by bandits, kidnappers and other armed groups have left many communities in fear, with farmers unable to go to their farms and traders afraid to travel on highways.
Nigeria has faced serious security challenges for more than a decade. In the North-East, the insurgency by Boko Haram and other armed groups has led to thousands of deaths and displaced millions. In the North-West and North-Central, banditry and kidnapping for ransom have become common. In the South-East, there have been reports of attacks on security agents and enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders. In the South-West and other regions, cases of kidnapping and violent crime have also increased.
Security agencies have continued to carry out operations, and the Federal Government has repeatedly assured Nigerians that efforts are ongoing to restore peace. However, many citizens say the attacks remain frequent and deadly.
Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, said it is wrong for political leaders to focus on party matters while the country is bleeding. He criticised politicians for talking about zoning arrangements, campaign plans and coalition strategies for 2027 instead of discussing how to protect lives.
“We strategize about 2027 while Nigerians struggle to survive 2026. This is inhumane,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that leadership is first about protecting human life. According to him, history will judge leaders not by the number of political meetings they held, but by what they did to stop the killings.
“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,” he added.
His comments come at a time when political discussions about the 2027 elections are already gaining attention. Although the next general election is still about a year away, political parties have begun internal consultations. Talks about alliances, possible candidates and regional power-sharing have started making headlines.
The 2023 general election was one of the most closely contested in Nigeria’s history. Obi emerged as a strong third-force candidate under the Labour Party, attracting significant support, especially among young voters. Although he did not win the election, he remains an influential voice in national discussions.
Since the beginning of 2026, reports of fresh attacks in states such as Zamfara, Benue, Plateau and Kebbi have raised fresh concerns. In some communities, entire villages have reportedly been attacked at night, with houses burnt and residents forced to flee. Kidnapping on major highways has also continued to worry travellers.
Obi’s latest statement adds to the growing pressure on political leaders to act quickly. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to share stories of insecurity in their communities, describing how fear has affected daily life.
In his message, Obi did not single out any particular party or government official. Instead, he directed his appeal to all political actors across party lines. He urged them to pause political calculations and work together to stop the bloodshed.
As preparations for the 2027 elections continue in the background, the issue of security is likely to remain central. Voters are expected to judge leaders based on how well they address the current crisis.
