The All Progressives Congress has condemned the African Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress and others for endorsing the House of Representatives minority caucus’s “lead or leave” call on President Bola Tinubu over worsening insecurity in the country, describing the position as politically motivated and unfair.
On Wednesday, the minority caucus of the House of Representatives delivered a scathing assessment of the state of the nation, accusing the government of President Tinubu of failing to tackle worsening insecurity, deepening economic hardship and mounting threats to democratic institutions, while allegedly focusing on political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For over two decades, Nigeria, especially the northern region, has been severely affected by insecurity, with groups like Boko Haram, armed bandits, and other criminal networks responsible for thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people.
While the Federal Government and security agencies have succeeded in neutralising, arresting, and prosecuting some of the perpetrators, the menace has continued, with these groups persisting and even extending their operations into parts of southern Nigeria.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Minority Leader of the House, Fred Agbedi, said the country was facing one of its most difficult periods since the return to democratic rule in 1999, citing persistent insecurity, rising poverty and growing public frustration.
Agbedi stated, “President Tinubu must suspend all 2027 political activities and declare a six-month National Security and Economic Recovery Plan.”
The Minority Leader, citing worsening economic hardship and insecurity as evidence that Nigeria is drifting toward a failed state, challenged the President to either provide effective leadership or step aside.
Speaking with The PUNCH in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the minority caucus merely echoed the frustrations of many Nigerians.
He said, “ADC wholeheartedly support the position of the House of Representatives minority caucus because it reflects the view of the majority of Nigerians. It is obvious that President Tinubu has run out of ideas.
“Everything he is doing regarding insecurity now is mere showboating and for the media headlines.”
According to Abdullahi, recent security breaches exposed the weaknesses of the country’s security architecture.
He said, “The attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, underscores this.
“If the highest policy institutions that ordinarily attract high-level presence of military officers could be so brazenly attacked and security personnel killed, what other daring could be more than that?
“The President was busy issuing threats to bandits on Democracy Day. But it is obvious now that he was only talking to himself and trying to sound tough.”
PUNCH
