The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on the governments of the United States and Nigeria to work jointly and urgently in addressing the rising insecurity threatening the peace and stability of both nations.
Speaking in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments alleging the “genocide and mass killing of Christians” in Nigeria and suggesting possible military intervention, Obi described the statement as “a serious concern that requires leadership and cooperation, not confrontation.”
According to Mr. Obi, insecurity in Nigeria has reached an alarming level, with terrorism, banditry, and ethnic conflicts taking a heavy toll on lives and the economy. He stressed that both countries must act in concert and expeditiously to find lasting solutions through intelligence sharing, security training, and diplomatic collaboration, rather than inflammatory rhetoric.
“No nation can achieve progress or attract investment in the face of fear and violence,” Obi said. “Nigeria and the United States must see security as a shared challenge. What is required is partnership built on trust, not threats of intervention.”
The former governor of Anambra State warned that careless political statements could worsen tensions and misrepresent the country’s complex security realities. He emphasized that while Nigeria must take full responsibility for its internal affairs, it also needs constructive global support to overcome insecurity.
Obi further criticized the Nigerian government for what he termed “a failure of decisive leadership and poor management of resources”, insisting that true progress will only come when governance is rooted in accountability and respect for human life.
He urged the international community to focus on promoting peace, democracy, and justice rather than heightening divisions.
“This is a time for genuine engagement between the US and Nigeria,” he added. “Both countries must collaborate in good faith to restore peace, not through force, but through fairness and effective leadership.”
Mr. Obi’s remarks came amid global debate over Trump’s characterization of Nigeria’s insecurity as religiously targeted, a claim the Nigerian government has firmly rejected.
Lazeera News reports that Obi’s statement aligns with his long-standing advocacy for governance reforms, regional stability, and stronger diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the United States in addressing terrorism and global insecurity.
