Nigeria is a ‘Crime Scene’ Under Tinubu: Peter Obi Blasts Tinubu Government at Clark Memorial

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has come down hard on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that the current leadership has turned Nigeria into a haven of unchecked corruption and lawlessness. Speaking during a memorial event for the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, held in Abuja, the former Anambra State Governor didn’t hold back in his scathing critique of the state of governance in the country.

While paying homage to the sacrifices made by past leaders like General Yakubu Gowon, Obi lamented that the nation had strayed far from its founding ideals. He painted a bleak picture of a country where the public treasury is treated like personal property by those in power and where democratic institutions have been hollowed out by greed.

Peter Obi's remarks, sharp and unfiltered, emphasized a grim reality he believes Nigeria must confront head-on. “We have a country now that’s not democratic,” Obi stated. “Let’s tell ourselves the truth.” He asserted that rather than moving forward into a future of equitable governance, the country appears to be spiraling deeper into a culture of systemic looting.

The event, meant to honor the life and legacy of Chief Edwin Clark—a figure celebrated for his patriotism and advocacy for justice—became a stage for Obi to draw sharp contrasts between the ideals of Nigeria’s past and what he sees as the betrayal of those values by the current government.

He didn’t mince words in comparing General Yakubu Gowon to President Tinubu. According to Obi, Gowon, despite leading during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent eras, maintained a level of integrity that is starkly missing in today’s leadership. “General Gowon, you sacrificed everything,” he said. “But the country you people sacrificed for has become a crime scene.”

Obi’s assessment of present-day Nigeria was chilling. He repeatedly hammered the notion that corruption has become endemic within the corridors of power. “What we see today is stealing, stealing, stealing,” he declared emphatically, accusing the ruling elite of systematically plundering the nation's wealth at the expense of millions of suffering citizens.

While acknowledging that his statements might be perceived by some as damaging to the country’s image, Obi made it clear that he is motivated by a deep-seated desire for the truth to be told. “I spoke a few days ago and some people said I am demarketing Nigeria,” he noted. “But how can you market what has lost its core values?”

According to Obi, defending the status quo out of political loyalty or fear only serves to deepen the national crisis. He argued that honesty is the first step toward reform and that ignoring the scale of corruption only perpetuates the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. “The labour of our heroes past,” he lamented, “is now in vain.”

The former presidential candidate’s bold commentary sparked nods of agreement from segments of the audience, many of whom share his frustration over the current state of affairs. His call to action was clear: Nigerians must reject the normalization of theft and begin demanding accountability from their leaders.

Public reactions to Obi’s speech have been swift and polarized. Supporters have praised him for his courage in speaking truth to power, while critics have accused him of fueling discontent and undermining national unity. Nonetheless, his comments have ignited fresh debate over the direction Nigeria is heading under the Tinubu administration.

Political analysts are already weighing in on the implications of Obi’s remarks. Some believe his statements could galvanize opposition forces ahead of future elections, especially if discontent with the economic situation continues to grow. Others warn that such rhetoric, if not matched by strategic action, could deepen public cynicism and fatigue.

Despite the controversy surrounding his statements, Obi remains a significant voice in Nigeria’s political discourse. As someone who campaigned on a platform of transparency, economic reform, and ethical governance, he continues to position himself as a conscience of the nation—unafraid to challenge the powerful and speak for the marginalized.

His latest remarks, particularly the metaphor of Nigeria as a “crime scene,” are likely to echo across social and political circles for weeks to come. Whether or not one agrees with his perspective, his message is unmistakably urgent: Nigeria stands at a crossroads, and without decisive action to combat corruption, the dreams of its founding leaders may be permanently extinguished.