Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly condemned the abduction of candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Benue State, describing the incident as a clear sign of leadership failure and worsening insecurity across the country.
In a statement shared on X on Friday, Obi said the situation was not only heartbreaking but also a damning indictment of the collapse of security and governance. He lamented that young Nigerians who are striving to pursue education are increasingly being exposed to violence and fear.
According to him, the country is already struggling with a low percentage of tertiary graduates, estimated at about one percent, far below countries like Indonesia and South Africa, which have significantly higher rates. He warned that losing more students to insecurity would further damage Nigeria’s future.
Obi also accused those in authority of focusing more on political ambitions than the safety of citizens. He argued that the same level of energy used in political activities should be directed toward securing lives, preventing crimes, and rescuing abducted victims.
Describing the incident as part of a growing national pattern, Obi said it reflects a broader crisis that requires urgent attention. He called on government authorities to take decisive and responsible action instead of remaining silent or offering excuses.
The former governor of Anambra State stressed that the continued failure to protect young people could have long term consequences for the nation. He warned that any country that neglects its youth risks undermining its own future.
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