Peter Obi: Poverty, not just bullets, is fueling Nigeria’s security crisis

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has once again drawn a sharp link between poverty and rising insecurity in Nigeria, warning that the nation’s deepening crisis is a direct result of decades of failed leadership, economic mismanagement, and systemic neglect.

In a strongly worded statement on X (formerly Twitter), Obi stressed that the fight against criminality cannot be won by force alone.

“I have consistently maintained that the more we pull people out of poverty, the more we reduce criminality — and the reverse is also true,” he said.

“You cannot separate security from human development; they are inextricably linked.”

Obi argued that the root of Nigeria’s escalating violence and lawlessness lies not in chance or coincidence but in a long history of misplaced priorities, massive corruption, and a chronic failure to invest in the welfare of ordinary citizens.

“Development is not about awarding billion-naira contracts for white elephant projects or building structures without soul or purpose,” he said.

“Real development means investing in critical areas that directly impact human capital-education, healthcare, and poverty eradication.”

Obi said with 100 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty and over 140 million affected by multidimensional poverty, it is no surprise that security agencies are overwhelmed.

Quoting the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, he noted: “You cannot fight insecurity with bullets alone. You must address the root causes: poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and injustice.”

Obi praised the Defence Chief for acknowledging what many politicians ignore, that real security stems not just from armed patrols but from social justice, opportunity, and human dignity.

He also referenced the late Mallam Aminu Kano, who once warned: “The problem with Nigeria is that we abandon the masses and then criminalise their hunger.”

“Those words still ring painfully true,” Obi said, adding that children out of school today become vulnerable to extremism tomorrow, and hungry families become breeding grounds for desperation and resentment.

Drawing inspiration from Mother Teresa, Obi reminded Nigerians that when the poor suffer, it is not divine neglect but human indifference that is to blame.

“We cannot keep reacting to crises we created through bad leadership and policy failure. Every naira we invest in people today is one less bullet we need to fire tomorrow,” he declared.

“That is the real meaning of security. That is how we build the new Nigeria that is possible.”

Obi called for urgent and focused investment in education, healthcare, and agriculture, which he described not just as economic necessities but as national security imperatives.

“We cannot continue with business as usual,” he warned.