Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the approval of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo state, describing the move as a reactive rather than comprehensive response to the country’s worsening security crisis.
In a post on X on Saturday, the former Anambra governor said Nigeria’s insecurity requires a holistic strategy that addresses the root causes of violence and criminality rather than ad hoc interventions.
Obi’s comments come days after the federal government announced the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo state following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA.
“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,” he said.
The former governor likened the decision to what he described as the administration’s handling of fuel subsidy removal and naira reforms.
“It is the same reactive approach that led to the sudden removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira that has caused irreparable damage to ordinary Nigerians and the economy,” he said.
WILL ALL STATES GET THE SAME GUARDS?
While acknowledging the need for additional security personnel, Obi questioned the criteria used in approving the recruitment for Oyo state alone.
“Almost all the 36 states in Nigeria are experiencing different forms of insecurity,” he said.
“The question is whether all the states will receive the same approval to recruit 1,000 forest guards per state, or is the recruitment approval based on the mood of the president?”
Obi also raised concerns about the relationship between the proposed forest guards and existing regional security outfits such as Amotekun Corps.
“With the approval for Oyo, what will happen to the Amotekun Corps that is trying its best to secure south-west Nigeria?” he asked.
“Will they be disbanded in Oyo state?”
The former presidential candidate argued that insecurity is a symptom of broader governance failures, including unemployment, poverty and inadequate economic opportunities.
“The pervasive insecurity we currently have is directly related to the failure of our ecosystem, particularly leadership,” he said.
“It is only failure in leadership that can lead to the death of over 10,000 innocent Nigerians since 2023.”
According to Obi, addressing insecurity requires what he described as an “ecosystem approach” that combines security measures with economic development, job creation and national unity.
“With failure in leadership, there is failure in unifying our nation, failure in industrialisation, and failure in harnessing our abundant resources,” he said.
“Addressing our insecurity situation requires a holistic approach.”
