Tinubu’s recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo shows poor leadership — Peter Obi

Presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu's decision to approve the recruitment of approximately 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State. Obi described the move as a demonstration of "poor leadership" and a reactive approach to critical governance and security issues.

In a statement, Obi contended that the Federal Government's tendency to address serious matters without adequate planning is evident in this decision. He drew parallels between this recruitment drive and the government's handling of the fuel subsidy removal and currency floatation, policies he asserts have inflicted "irreparable damage" on ordinary Nigerians and the economy.

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In a hasty effort to be perceived as attentive and courageous, it is reported that President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of about 1000 forest guards for Oyo State. This is a further demonstration of poor leadership and attending to very serious governance and security issues with a reactive approach.

The approval for forest guards in Oyo State follows recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers. While acknowledging the need for increased security personnel, Obi raised concerns about the long-term viability and consistency of such measures. He questioned whether all 36 states and Abuja would receive similar approvals, totaling 37,000 forest guards, or if the decision was arbitrary.

Obi also inquired about the implications for existing regional security outfits, such as the Amotekun Corps in South-West Nigeria, asking if they would be disbanded in Oyo State. He characterized Nigeria's pervasive insecurity as a reflection of systemic leadership failure, noting that over 10,000 Nigerians have reportedly died since 2023, with the country remaining highly affected by terrorism. Obi advocated for a holistic, ecosystem-based approach to address insecurity, emphasizing the need for leadership that unifies the nation and harnesses its resources effectively.

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The question, such as the reactive approach of our President, is whether all the states will receive the same approval to recruit 1000 forest guards per state, that is 37,000 forest guards for the 36 states and Abuja, or is the recruitment approval based on the mood of the President?