The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vehemently criticized former presidential candidate Peter Obi over his reaction to the United States government’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC). The designation, announced under the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, highlights concerns regarding religious freedoms and escalating violence in Nigeria.
Reacting to the CPC label, Obi attributed the grim international judgment to what he described as incompetent leadership and reckless governance by the ruling APC-led administration. In a statement issued on Monday, Obi warned that the U.S. designation “should give every well-meaning Nigerian serious concern” due to Nigeria’s “unprecedented level of insecurity” characterized by massive loss of lives and property. He cited Amnesty International’s report indicating that over 10,000 Nigerians had been killed since May 2023, attributing the situation to “lack of competence, commitment, prudent use of resources, patriotism and passion on the part of APC-led government/leaders to effectively govern the country.”
Obi lamented, “The unwarranted killing of Nigerians is most condemnable, and all efforts must be made to bring it to a stop.” While acknowledging that the security crisis predates the current government, he faulted the APC administration for failing to galvanize the nation towards peace and stability. Obi called for sustained diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States, insisting that the strategic partnership between the two democracies “should not falter” and must be strengthened to restore peace and justice in Nigeria.
However, the Lagos State APC has rebuked Obi’s remarks, describing his response as an attempt to politicize a grave national concern. The party emphasized that the U.S. designation was a complex issue resulting from multifaceted security challenges but argued that Obi’s simplistic attribution to APC leadership was misplaced and unhelpful.
The APC further stated that the government remains committed to tackling insecurity and called for unity among Nigerians in addressing the challenges rather than politicizing them. They asserted that the party would continue to work towards restoring peace and rebuilding Nigeria’s international reputation.
This latest development adds fuel to an already intense national debate on Nigeria’s security situation and international image. The CPC designation, one of the U.S. government’s strongest human rights measures, could lead to restrictions on military and economic cooperation, further complicating Nigeria’s foreign relations and internal security efforts.
As Nigeria navigates this delicate diplomatic and security landscape, calls for competent governance, constructive engagement, and national unity grow louder across political divides.
