Nigeria’s Political Tensions Escalate Amid ADC’s Fierce Rebuke of President Tinubu’s Security Response

 

Nigeria’s Political Tensions Escalate Amid ADC’s Fierce Rebuke of President Tinubu’s Security Response

In a climate of rising insecurity and political unease, Nigeria’s opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of gross insensitivity and political detachment in the face of the country’s deepening security crisis.

The ADC’s public condemnation, delivered through a series of official statements by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, paints a grim picture of a nation under siege and a presidency allegedly more concerned with ceremonial appearances than the safety of its citizens.

The ADC’s rebuke centers on what it describes as President Tinubu’s persistent neglect of his constitutional responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief. The party cited recent violent incidents in Kwara and Kogi States, where armed bandits reportedly killed travelers and abducted civilians, including women and children.

In Kwara alone, nine local government areas were said to be under siege, with residents allegedly forced to provide food, drinks, and money as ransom payments. The ADC also highlighted the closure of over 180 schools across northern Nigeria due to escalating threats, underscoring what it sees as a systemic failure of governance.

According to the ADC, the President’s continued attendance at funerals and political gatherings, most notably in Jos, Plateau State, while communities reel from attacks, sends a troubling message that political optics take precedence over national security. The party expressed outrage that despite mass killings in Plateau earlier in the year, President Tinubu failed to visit the affected areas, opting instead for symbolic gestures such as attending church services and donning regional attire. These actions, the ADC argued, reflect a hollow and insincere approach to national unity.

The opposition party further criticized the federal government’s repeated assurances of progress in combating insecurity, calling them vague and disconnected from the daily realities of Nigerians. It described Tinubu’s claims of improvement as a “tragic denial” of the suffering endured by citizens, suggesting that such statements stem either from “cruel indifference” or a “tragic oversimplification” of a complex crisis.

In its call to action, the ADC proposed a series of measures aimed at reversing the tide of violence. These include an official acknowledgment of the scale of the crisis, direct engagement with affected communities, improved coordination between federal security agencies and local networks, and the establishment of transparent mechanisms for tracking security spending. The party emphasized the need for regular public reporting on security operations and outcomes, arguing that accountability and urgency must replace political rhetoric.

The ADC’s critique marks a significant escalation in Nigeria’s political discourse, reflecting growing frustration among opposition voices and civil society over the government’s handling of security.

As the country grapples with widespread violence, forced displacement, and economic instability, the ADC’s message is clear: Nigeria is under attack, and the time for symbolic gestures is over.

What the nation demands now, the party insists, is responsible leadership, operational urgency, and measurable results.