Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2024 General election, Peter Obi, has decried the United States’ security advisory on Nigeria, describing it as a troubling signal, adding that it reflects declining confidence in the country’s safety and governance.
Obi, in a statement titled “US Security Alarm on Nigeria: A Bad Omen” posted on his X handle on Thursday, said the directive by the United States Department of State authorising the evacuation of non-essential staff from its embassy in Abuja should be treated as a national emergency.
The U.S. government had, in a travel advisory issued on April 8, urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria over concerns including crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest. It classified Nigeria under “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” while placing several states under the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category.
In his reaction, Obi said the development was particularly alarming for a nation already grappling with investor confidence.
“The recent directive by the United States to evacuate its embassy staff from Nigeria due to rising insecurity is deeply worrisome and should be treated as a national emergency,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria currently ranks among the countries most affected by terrorism globally, stressing that insecurity continues to escalate, with communities under persistent threat.
“There is a glaring absence of effective governance; instead, what prevails are schemes that undermine democratic processes, as though politics has taken precedence over the safety of citizens,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor further warned that the advisory signalled eroding global trust in Nigeria’s security architecture.
“The U.S. directive is a clear signal of declining confidence in our national security framework. A nation where people cannot live, work, worship, or travel safely cannot progress or attract investment,” he stated.
He also decried what he described as misplaced priorities among political leaders.
“Sadly, as Nigeria deteriorates, we as leaders, like Nero, remain preoccupied with politics, forgetting that without security, there is no nation to govern and no future to campaign for,” Obi said.
Following the advisory, the United States Mission in Nigeria announced the suspension of visa appointments at its Abuja embassy, although operations continue at the Lagos consulate.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reassured citizens and the international community that Nigeria remains stable.
Idris described the U.S. advisory as a routine precaution based on internal security protocols, saying that public institutions and economic activities across the country remain fully operational.
