Chukwuma Okafor Lists Security Challenges During Peter Obi's Tenure as Anambra Governor, Questions His Record

Chukwuma Okafor Lists Security Challenges During Peter Obi's Tenure as Anambra Governor, Questions His Record

A public affairs commentator, Chukwuma Okafor, has questioned the security record of former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, citing a series of kidnapping, armed robbery, and violent crime incidents that occurred during Obi's administration between March 2006 and March 2014.

In a lengthy commentary, Okafor argued that Anambra witnessed a significant rise in insecurity, particularly in the last two years of Obi's administration, claiming that more than 200 kidnapping cases were recorded between 2012 and March 2014.

According to him, several prominent traditional rulers were abducted during the period, including the traditional ruler of Ukpo, Igwe Robert Eze; the traditional ruler of Abagana, HRH Igwe Patrick Okeke; the traditional ruler of Adazi-Nnukwu, Igwe Lawrence Oragwu; and the traditional ruler of Ihembosi, Igwe Jerome Udechukwu.

The author also referenced the abduction and eventual killing of former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chidi Nwike, alleging that he was kidnapped, taken to Delta State, and later murdered.

Okafor further recalled the December 2, 2013 kidnapping of the then Anambra State PDP Chairman, Chief Ken Emeakayi, at Nri Junction, as well as the abductions of several business executives and public figures, including the chairman of Nnewi Auto Parts, a former Nnewi North Local Government chairman, bank officials, a Julius Berger manager, an Anambra lawmaker, officials of construction companies, relatives of prominent businessmen, and other notable residents.

He also alleged that an elderly woman, Mrs. Adafor Madueke, was kidnapped in December 2013 and later died after regaining her freedom.

The commentator further claimed that several police officers were killed during attacks on security formations in Okija, Ozubulu, Amichi, and Ukpor while Peter Obi was governor.

Citing statistics which he attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Okafor stated that Anambra ranked among the states with the highest reported armed robbery cases during the period, alleging that between 2007 and 2010, hundreds of robbery-related incidents were recorded across the state.

He also referred to the 2009 attack on a bullion van along the Oba–Nnewi Road and an attempted robbery at a Spring Bank branch, describing them as evidence of worsening insecurity.

According to the author, no kidnapping case was successfully prosecuted during Obi's administration despite the growing number of reported incidents, arguing that the incoming administration of Governor Willie Obiano had to prioritise restoring security immediately after assuming office in March 2014.

Based on these claims, Okafor concluded that Peter Obi's tenure did not demonstrate the capacity to effectively tackle insecurity, arguing that his record in Anambra should be carefully examined before assessing his suitability to address Nigeria's current security challenges.

Peter Obi has consistently maintained that his administration improved governance and security in Anambra State, while many of his supporters argue that available records show significant progress in several sectors during his tenure. The claims made by Okafor have continued to generate debate and remain subjects of public and political discussion.