Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the approval of about 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State, describing the move as a reactive response to insecurity.
In a statement shared on his X account on Friday, Obi argued that the decision reflects what he called poor leadership and a pattern of responding to national challenges without adequate planning.
According to him, the approval appeared to be a hurried attempt to demonstrate concern over security challenges rather than part of a comprehensive national strategy.
Obi linked the development to what he described as similar reactive policies in the past, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, which he said had negatively affected ordinary Nigerians and the economy.
The former governor acknowledged the need to strengthen security but questioned whether the Federal Government intended to extend the same approval to every state facing security threats.
He noted that insecurity remains a major concern across the country, citing states such as Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo and Sokoto as areas facing serious security challenges.
Obi questioned whether all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would receive approval to recruit a similar number of forest guards or whether such decisions would depend on individual circumstances and government discretion.
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He also raised concerns about the future of existing regional security outfits, particularly the South-West security network, Amotekun, asking whether the new recruitment would affect its operations in Oyo State.
The former presidential candidate further argued that Nigeria’s security challenges are rooted in broader governance issues, including unemployment, economic hardship and inadequate leadership.
According to him, tackling insecurity requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of crime and violence rather than relying solely on security deployments.
Obi maintained that effective security reforms should be accompanied by efforts to create jobs, strengthen national unity and fully utilise the country’s resources in sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, sports, oil and gas to improve economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
His comments come days after the Federal Government approved the recruitment of forest guards in Oyo State following the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
