Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has issued a stern warning to political leaders, criticising what he described as premature focus on the 2027 general elections amid worsening insecurity in the country.

In a statement shared on his official X handle, Obi highlighted the alarming scale of violence across Nigeria, noting that in the first two months of 2026 alone, over 1,000 Nigerians have reportedly been killed, with thousands more abducted in various attacks.

“From Zamfara to Kwara, Ondo, Kebbi, Edo, Benue, Adamawa, Plateau, and many other states, families have buried loved ones, and communities have been emptied by gunshots and fear,” Obi wrote.

He lamented that the level of insecurity in the country now rivals that of nations officially at war, expressing concern over what he termed a disconnect between political conversations and the urgent realities facing citizens.

Obi criticised political actors for concentrating on party structures, zoning arrangements, and campaign strategies instead of prioritising the protection of lives.

“We strategize about 2027 while Nigerians struggle to survive 2026. This is inhumane,” he stated.

Calling for a shift in national priorities, Obi emphasised that leadership must be centred on safeguarding human life and restoring security.

“History will not remember how many strategies we perfected for 2027; it will remember whether we acted when Nigerians were dying. We must choose Nigerian lives over politics. We must put Nigerians first,” he added.

His remarks come amid growing concerns over escalating attacks and renewed debates about governance, accountability, and national security.