The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that Nigeria’s national interest must always take precedence over partisan politics.
The party made the remark while reacting to comments by the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, on the recent US designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and the accompanying threat of possible military action.
Amid heightened global attention on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and a recent statement by US President Donald Trump threatening possible intervention, Obi had expressed concern over the development.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Obi described the US designation as “deeply concerning,” lamenting the worsening insecurity and urging the Nigerian government to protect citizens’ lives and freedoms.
“While the insecurity did not start with the present government, what is most unfortunate is the lack and absence of competence, commitment, prudent use of resources, patriotism and passion on the part of APC-led government/leaders to effectively govern,” Obi said.
He called on both Nigeria and the United States to pursue “constructive diplomatic and other plausible engagements” to address the disturbing security situation.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Seye Oladejo, said sensitive national issues should not be politicised.
Oladejo described Obi’s comments as “selective outrage” and an attempt to exploit a delicate matter for political gain rather than show statesmanship.
“Obi’s statement reflects an attempt to grandstand and seek political attention from Nigeria’s temporary challenges. National unity and integrity must guide every public reaction to international reports about Nigeria,” Oladejo said.
He urged citizens and political leaders to defend the country’s image through responsible communication, adding that political differences should never override the collective duty to protect Nigeria’s reputation.
“The interest of Nigeria must always rise above politics. We all have a duty to defend our nation’s dignity,” he added.
The APC spokesman emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was taking bold steps to restore security, improve intelligence sharing, and enhance the nation’s military and technological capacity.
Oladejo further noted that the Federal Government was addressing economic factors contributing to insecurity through targeted reforms and job creation initiatives.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain patient as the gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda begin to manifest, stressing that patriotism must be a shared national value.
Oladejo called for constructive dialogue across party lines, saying that stability and progress could only thrive when Nigerians “speak with one voice.”
Meanwhile, former presidential aide Reno Omokri also faulted Obi’s remarks, describing them as an unfair portrayal of Nigeria’s security reality.
Omokri argued that while insecurity remains a serious concern, data from the Global Terrorism Index shows improvement compared to previous years.
“The death of even one Nigerian is regrettable, but statistics indicate a decline in terror-related casualties compared to 2015,” Omokri stated.
Both APC and Omokri urged political figures to project optimism and support national efforts to overcome challenges through unity, resilience, and responsible leadership.
