I’d have entered the bush to free Oyo pupils, says Obi

Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor and presidential aspirant, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu's response to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State. Obi asserted that he would have personally led the operation to rescue the victims, even if it involved casualties, emphasizing decisive leadership in tackling insecurity.

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Days of kidnap of Oyo children. The President did not call the governor. What do you mean? Fifty days.

Obi faulted President Tinubu for allegedly failing to personally reach out to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde during the 56-day ordeal of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers. "Days of kidnap of Oyo children. The President did not call the governor. What do you mean? Fifty days," Obi stated during an interview on Afia TV's Eastern Eye. He contrasted this with his own approach, declaring, "But I’ll be there in two days. Is the bush not in Nigeria? That bush they went in. The bush is in Nigeria. Everybody in that bush will come out. Everybody. There might be casualties but everybody will come out."

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But I’ll be there in two days. Is the bush not in Nigeria? That bush they went in. The bush is in Nigeria. Everybody in that bush will come out. Everybody. There might be casualties but everybody will come out.

The former governor also voiced concerns about the secrecy surrounding security operations in Nigeria. He argued that authorities should publicly demonstrate results by parading arrested criminal suspects, drawing a comparison to practices in the United States. "When America or other countries kill people like that, they parade them. They show it. Everybody sees it. In Nigeria, everything is shrouded in secrecy," he said.

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When America or other countries kill people like that, they parade them. They show it. Everybody sees it. In Nigeria, everything is shrouded in secrecy.

Recalling his tenure as Anambra governor, Obi highlighted his direct approach to confronting criminal activities in forests. He mentioned consulting with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo before taking action to drive out criminal elements. Obi stressed that effective leadership requires clear authority and personal responsibility, stating, "It’s either I’m in charge or you people are in charge. I go home. One person must be in charge. And if you’re in charge, if you want to lead, you should be ready to die. If you don’t want to, you go home. One must be in charge."

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It’s either I’m in charge or you people are in charge. I go home. One person must be in charge. And if you’re in charge, if you want to lead, you should be ready to die. If you don’t want to, you go home. One must be in charge.