Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria and the Presidential Candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, has strongly condemned the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing it of failing the Nigerian people on the critical issue of national security.
In a statement released today, Atiku expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in mass killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks across the country, pointing to what he termed as a “complete breakdown” in the security architecture under the Tinubu government. He emphasized that despite the government's repeated promises to restore peace and security to the nation, the situation has only worsened, with citizens living in fear of daily attacks by insurgents, armed bandits, and other criminal groups.
“Under the watch of this administration, Nigerians are being slaughtered daily in what can only be described as a horrific crisis of governance,” Atiku said. “Instead of strengthening the security forces and providing them with the necessary resources to combat the growing threat, the current government has shown a dangerous level of incompetence and neglect. We are witnessing unrelenting attacks on innocent Nigerians, particularly in the northern and southeastern regions, with little to no response from the government.”
Atiku pointed out that the failure to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and poor governance, has only exacerbated the situation, leading to further disillusionment among Nigerians. He criticized the Tinubu administration for its apparent lack of urgency and transparency in tackling the national security crisis, noting that the government's promises to protect the people have remained unfulfilled.
The PDP leader called on the Nigerian government to take immediate and decisive action to restore the safety and security of its citizens. He urged the government to restructure the country’s security apparatus, improve intelligence gathering, and ensure that law enforcement agencies are well-equipped and adequately supported to carry out their duties effectively.
“Security is the fundamental duty of any responsible government. The lives of Nigerians are at stake, and it is unconscionable that this administration continues to fail in providing basic protection to its people,” Atiku stated. “The time for speeches is over. We need bold action to address the ongoing bloodshed in our communities.”