Former LP Presidential candidate, Peter Obi
Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the reported abduction of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates in Benue State, describing the incident as a tragic reflection of leadership failure and worsening insecurity in Nigeria.
In a statement, Obi expressed deep concern over the safety of young Nigerians seeking education, warning that continued insecurity threatens the nation’s already fragile education system and future workforce.
“The news of the abduction of innocent UTME candidates in Benue State is not just heartbreaking but a damning indictment of the failure of leadership and the collapse of security in our nation,” he said.
He lamented that students striving to secure their future through education are instead confronted with violence and fear, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to lose more young people to insecurity.
“Young Nigerians striving for an education are being met with terror. In a country where the share of tertiary graduates is already painfully low (about 1%) which is far below peers like Indonesia (about 13%) and South Africa (around 10%). This is unacceptable. We cannot afford to lose even one more student to violence,” Obi added.
The former Anambra State governor also criticized authorities responsible for safeguarding citizens, accusing them of prioritizing political interests over national security.
“Those entrusted with protecting these young students appear increasingly preoccupied with the next election, projecting strength and power to rig elections, rather than deploying that same power and agencies to secure our roads, prevent these crimes, and rescue the abducted children who should not be in the hands of criminals but in examination halls.”
Obi warned that the abduction is not an isolated event but part of a growing national emergency requiring urgent government intervention.
“This is no longer an isolated tragedy. It is a pattern. It is a national crisis. And it demands urgent, decisive, and responsible action, not excuses, not silence, but leadership that matches the scale of the emergency this deserves.”
He further emphasized that the future of the country depends on protecting its youth and ensuring safe access to education.
“A nation that abandons its youth abandons its future. This cannot continue.”
Obi concluded his statement with his signature message of hope, stating: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
