The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the recruitment of about 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State, describing the move as another example of what he called poor leadership and a reactive approach to tackling Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
Obi made his position known in a statement posted on his X account on Friday. The statement, titled “What Our Pervasive Insecurity Requires: A Holistic Not Reactive Approach,” questioned the Federal Government’s decision and called for a more comprehensive strategy to address insecurity across the country.
The former Anambra State governor argued that while the recruitment of additional security personnel may appear helpful, the decision raises important questions about planning, consistency, and fairness in the fight against insecurity.
According to him, the approval reflects a pattern of responding to national problems without a clear long-term plan.
“In a hasty effort to be perceived as attentive and courageous, it is reported that President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of about 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State. This is a further demonstration of poor leadership and attending to very serious governance and security issues with a reactive approach,” Obi said.
The former governor maintained that security challenges in Nigeria require careful planning and a nationwide strategy rather than isolated actions targeted at specific locations.
He compared the decision to other policies introduced by the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira. Obi argued that both policies were implemented without sufficient preparation and had severe consequences for ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, the economic reforms have increased hardship, worsened inflation, and put additional pressure on families and businesses across the country.
Although Obi acknowledged the need to strengthen security operations, he questioned whether the Federal Government intended to extend similar approvals to all states facing security threats.
Nigeria has continued to struggle with various forms of insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, communal clashes, and attacks by criminal groups. Several states have witnessed repeated incidents that have resulted in loss of lives, displacement of communities, and destruction of property.
Obi noted that insecurity is no longer limited to a few parts of the country but has become a nationwide challenge.
He listed Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo, and Sokoto among states currently facing serious security concerns.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate asked whether every state would receive approval to recruit a similar number of forest guards.
“The question, such as the reactive approach of our President, is whether all the states will receive the same approval to recruit 1,000 forest guards per state, that is 37,000 forest guards for the 36 states and Abuja, or is the recruitment approval based on the mood of the President?” he asked.
His comments come at a time when governments at both federal and state levels are searching for new ways to address security threats, particularly in forests and remote communities that have become hideouts for criminal groups.
Many security experts have identified forests across different parts of the country as operational bases for kidnappers, bandits, and armed gangs. As a result, authorities have increasingly focused on strengthening surveillance and security presence in such areas.
However, Obi argued that isolated measures would not be enough to solve the deeper problems driving insecurity.
He also questioned the future of existing regional security outfits, particularly the South-West Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
Established by governors in the South-West geopolitical zone, Amotekun was created to complement conventional security agencies in combating crime and protecting communities. The outfit has been involved in intelligence gathering, patrol operations, and support for law enforcement agencies across the region.
Obi wondered whether the approval of federal forest guards in Oyo State could create confusion regarding the role of Amotekun.
“Moreover, with the approval for Oyo, what will happen to the Amotekun Corps that is trying its best to secure South-West Nigeria? Will they be disbanded in Oyo State?” he asked.
The former governor argued that Nigeria’s security crisis is largely a result of leadership failures and poor governance.
According to him, insecurity cannot be separated from broader economic and social challenges affecting millions of Nigerians.
He claimed that thousands of Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity since 2023 and noted that the country continues to rank among nations most affected by terrorism and violent attacks.
Obi said a lasting solution requires what he described as a holistic or ecosystem-based approach that addresses both security and economic concerns simultaneously.
He explained that high unemployment, poverty, poor industrial development, and lack of opportunities for young people contribute significantly to the country’s security problems.
According to him, government must focus on creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities while strengthening security institutions.
“With failure in leadership, there is failure in unifying our dear nation, failure in industrialisation, failure in harnessing our abundant resources in agriculture, minerals, tourism, water, sports and even oil and gas to effectively generate required revenue, growth and particularly jobs for our exponentially growing youth population,” Obi stated.
The former governor stressed that Nigeria possesses enormous natural and human resources capable of driving economic growth if properly managed.
He argued that improving productivity in sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing, and sports would help reduce unemployment and discourage criminal activities among young people.
Security has remained one of the major issues dominating public debate since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. Despite efforts by security agencies, many communities across the country continue to experience attacks, kidnappings, and other violent crimes.
The Federal Government has repeatedly pledged to strengthen security operations and provide the resources needed to combat criminal groups. Authorities have also introduced various initiatives aimed at improving intelligence gathering and enhancing coordination among security agencies.
However, critics maintain that more needs to be done to address the root causes of insecurity and improve public confidence in government efforts.
Obi’s latest comments add to the growing debate over the best approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria. While supporters of the forest guards initiative see it as a practical step toward protecting vulnerable communities, the former governor insists that the country needs a broader and more coordinated plan that addresses security, economic development, and governance challenges together.