Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has attributed the recent killings and abductions of innocent Nigerians to the failures of Nigerian leaders to protect and value human lives.

In a statement titled, ‘Is Nigeria cursed, or are we the curse?’ on Sunday, Mr Obi decried a series of attacks by armed bandits, especially in Kwara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Niger and Borno, blaming them on collective leadership failures that had allowed insecurity, lawlessness and institutional decay to thrive.

“The past 10 days in Nigeria have witnessed unprecedented negative news, a level of chaos, insecurity, and institutional decay that should trouble the conscience of all the leaders,” the politician stated. “We have all watched a nation blessed with people of strength and resilience drift into avoidable disorder. We should be asking ourselves: Are we cursed, or are we the curse?”

Armed bandits have intensified attacks on churches and schools in different parts of the country, forcing governments in Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Kebbi, Yobe, Katsina and Taraba to close down schools to ensure the safety of students.

Mr Obi pointed out that the country was drifting into unprecedented chaos due to a clear absence of competent, compassionate, responsive and responsible leadership.

“Our country is now going through troubling times, not by fate, but by our collective leadership failures that allow insecurity, lawlessness, and institutional decay to thrive. Each day confronts us with a new tragedy and a new reminder that our beloved country is drifting amid a clear absence of competent, compassionate, responsive and responsible leadership,” he stated.

While accusing the All Progressives Congress of encouraging the destruction of political parties and the weakening of our democracy in the country, Mr Obi also slammed the playing of the APC partisan song ‘On Your Mandate We Shall Stand’ at the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference, adding that such a troubling moment further eroded public trust in institutions expected to protect the rule of law.

Citing the killing of Brigadier General M Uba, the ambush of soldiers in Kebbi, among other dastardly killings and abductions of Nigerians in the past few days, Mr Obi said the crises persist because those entrusted with the mandate to protect the country have chosen comfort over courage, politics over people and power over purpose.

“No serious nation survives on excuses, indifference, or absentee leadership. What we are witnessing is not inevitable. It is the direct consequence of we the leaders not valuing human life. Nigeria is bleeding because those elected to protect the nation have chosen comfort over courage, politics over people, and power over purpose,” Mr Obi stated.

The politician highlighted that Nigerians are affected by the unfortunate development, urging Nigerian leaders to wake up to their responsibility to protect lives and property, as provided for in the Constitution.

“We, the leaders, must remember that governance is not a title. It is a duty to protect every child, every community, and every citizen. We need competence, compassion, and a government that shows up when it matters the most.

“To every Nigerian shaken in these past 10 days, my heart is with you. You deserve safety, you deserve peace. We deserve a government that values our lives above politics,” Mr Obi explained.