The All Progressives Congress has accused Peter Obi of “selective outrage” over comments on President Donald Trump’s threat to invade Nigeria over the alleged killing of Christians.

In a statement on Tuesday, APC spokesperson in Lagos Seye Oladejo slammed Mr Obi’s attempt to “turn a sensitive national issue into political theatre rather than demonstrate statesmanship”.

“The Lagos state chapter of the All Progressives Congress has observed the latest grandstanding by Mr Peter Obi following the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’. Real leaders defend their country in difficult moments. Statesmen balance criticism with dignity and national pride,” the ruling party said. “But Peter Obi appears content only when Nigeria is under pressure, believing every challenge for the nation is an opportunity for his political resurrection. That is not patriotism. It is sour politics born from electoral heartbreak.”

In a statement on Monday, Mr Obi slammed President Bola Tinubu’s government for failing to stop the widespread violence perpetrated by bandits and terrorists, accusing the APC administration of incompetence and lack of commitment to salvaging the situation.

However, APC said the Labour Party politician “did not speak out of patriotic instinct, but out of public pressure and fear of further exposing his double standards”.

“When he finally spoke, the nation saw what we expected — too little, too late, and too predictable. His reaction lacked sincerity, urgency, and any semblance of a unifying spirit.

“A man who claims to desire national leadership should not require public reminders to speak when his nation’s image is at stake. Leadership is proactive, not reactive, and certainly not driven by online agitation,” the party added.

While accusing Mr Obi of “rehearsing 2023 grievances and clinging to foreign commentary for political oxygen”, the party insisted that security challenges in the country were inherited, adding that Mr Tinubu was committed to addressing them.

“Nigeria’s security problems did not start yesterday—they were inherited. President Tinubu is confronting them with courage and strategy. Nigeria will not bow to those rooting for its challenges to worsen. We urge the public to stay focused on the Renewed Hope agenda and reject individuals who profit politically from national difficulty,” the party stated.