You Couldn’t Handle Bakassi Boys, How Will You Fix Nigeria?” – Oshiomhole Fires At Peter Obi

The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has questioned the leadership credentials of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, alleging that the former Anambra State governor failed to effectively tackle insecurity during his tenure.

According to reports, Oshiomhole made the remarks during an interview on Seun Okinbaloye’s podcast, which gained widespread attention on Sunday. He maintained that Edo State enjoyed a safer security environment while he served as governor than Anambra State did under Obi’s administration.

Drawing a comparison between their respective tenures, Oshiomhole noted that he governed Edo State from 2008 to 2016, while Obi led Anambra State from 2006 to 2014 before handing over to his successor, Willie Obiano.

The former Edo governor claimed that insecurity and kidnapping were rampant in Anambra during Obi’s administration, arguing that meaningful action against criminal activities only came after Obiano assumed office. He alleged that the new administration took decisive measures by targeting properties believed to have been used as hideouts for kidnappers.

Oshiomhole further asserted that the security situation had deteriorated to the point where kidnappings allegedly involved family members, describing incidents in which spouses were said to have abducted one another and demanded ransom through their children.

Using the security challenges in Anambra as a basis for his criticism, the senator questioned Obi’s capacity to address the broader security issues facing Nigeria, insisting that anyone unable to resolve problems at the state level would struggle to provide effective national leadership.

The lawmaker also took issue with Obi’s recent comments opposing ethnic profiling, arguing that political leaders should move beyond identifying problems and instead present practical and detailed solutions to the country’s challenges.

According to Oshiomhole, while many Nigerians acknowledge that the nation faces significant difficulties, what citizens expect from leaders are clear policy alternatives rather than broad slogans. He maintained that voters deserve specific plans of action and expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would secure victory in the next presidential election, insisting that opposition parties would not replicate their previous electoral performance.