The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the country’s worsening insecurity.1 In a recent statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described it as “an absurdity” for the government to be lobbying for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council while Nigerians are being “ravaged” by bandits and insurgents.2
Here are the key points of the ADC’s criticism:
- Failure of Political Leadership: The ADC asserts that the ongoing crisis is a clear failure of political leadership under the Tinubu administration.3 They argue that the government has not demonstrated the necessary resolve to confront criminal networks.4
- Contradiction in Global Ambitions: The party finds it hypocritical that Nigeria is seeking a global security role while failing to protect its own citizens at home.5
- Lack of Empathy: The ADC and other political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have criticized President Tinubu for not visiting the states affected by the violence to commiserate with grieving citizens.6
- Call for a State of Emergency: The party has joined others in calling for a state of emergency on security, particularly in the northern region, to address the existential threat posed by terrorism and banditry.
The ADC’s statement is part of a growing chorus of criticism from opposition parties, civil society organizations, and even some retired military officers who believe the government’s current security strategies are not effective. While the government, through officials like the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has insisted that it is making “bold strides” in combating insecurity, the critics point to the continued killings and kidnappings as evidence of a failing approach.
