Peter Obi urges President Tinubu to resign over Oyo school kidnapping crisis

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Nigeria's Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign or at least to forgo seeking re‑election, citing the federal government's handling of a mass school kidnapping in Oyo State.

The incident involved the abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers from a school in Oriire local government area on May 15, 2026. More than 50 days later, the victims remain in captivity and no significant rescue effort has materialised. Obi visited Ibadan on July 3 with Professor Pat Utomi, met Governor Seyi Makinde, and reported that President Tinubu had not made a single phone call to the governor about the crisis, unlike previous presidents who had intervened directly.

Obi criticised Tinubu's “lack of compassion” and accused his administration of “turning citizens’ frustration into deep, volatile resentment.” He noted that more than 13 school kidnapping incidents have occurred under Tinubu’s tenure, comparing the situation to the 2014 Chibok girls abduction and the criticism then directed at former President Goodluck Jonathan. Obi urged that “governance has completely collapsed” and that resignation is in Nigeria’s best interest.