Former Anambra Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi has expressed concern over the US Embassy’s evacuation of non-emergency staff from Nigeria, citing it as a “bad omen” for the country. The evacuation is reportedly due to the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, with the US Department of State citing risks of crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
Obi had previously reacted to the US government’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), urging diplomatic efforts to address the security concerns. He attributed the situation to poor leadership and governance, emphasizing the need for competent leadership to prevent further crises.
“The recent directive by the United States to evacuate its embassy staff from Nigeria due to rising insecurity is deeply worrisome and should be treated as a national emergency, This is particularly critical for a nation already battling to inspire investor confidence. There is a glaring absence of effective governance with politics seemingly taking precedence over the safety and well-being of citizens.”
The US Embassy has suspended visa appointments and reduced operations, citing security concerns. Nigeria was classified under “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” while several states were elevated to “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” the highest risk category by the US Government.
The Nigerian government has acknowledged the security challenges but emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen national security.
