Reps to Tinubu: Fix insecurity or step aside as Nigeria slides into deeper crisis
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has issued a stern message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to either urgently redirect attention to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and economic hardship or step aside from leadership.
The lawmakers said the country can no longer afford political distractions, insisting that governance must take priority as insecurity spreads and public trust continues to weaken.
They made the remarks at a press briefing in Abuja, where Minority Leader Fred Agbedi said Nigeria is drifting into deeper crisis while political activities ahead of the 2027 elections appear to be taking centre stage.
According to the caucus, the nation is now grappling with a disturbing combination of mass abductions, repeated killings, economic pressure, and declining confidence in state institutions.
They pointed to ongoing cases of kidnapped schoolchildren in Oyo, Kogi and Borno States, as well as persistent attacks across Plateau, Benue, Niger, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kwara, describing the situation as a failure of protection for ordinary citizens.
Agbedi expressed concern that insecurity had reached a point where even senior security figures are no longer safe, referencing the reported killing of a retired general abducted alongside his wife, which he described as deeply symbolic of the country’s worsening reality.
“If those who once defended this country can be taken so easily, then every citizen is exposed,” he said.
The caucus also criticised what it described as the absence of a clear and decisive national security strategy, arguing that armed groups are gaining more confidence across multiple regions.
They further raised concerns over political tensions and court rulings affecting opposition parties, warning that such developments could undermine democratic competition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The lawmakers said rising inflation, hunger, unemployment, and insecurity are now converging into what they called a full-scale national emergency requiring immediate executive attention.
They called for a time-bound national recovery plan focused on security and the economy, insisting that political ambitions should be suspended until stability is restored.
Outside the National Assembly, former Kaduna State military governor, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), also weighed in, warning that Nigeria is drifting away from the democratic ideals fought for during the June 12 struggle.
He said security remains the foundation of any meaningful governance, urging leaders to return to the core responsibility of protecting lives and property.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported that 390 people were killed and 202 others abducted in May 2026 alone, describing it as one of the most troubling human rights periods in recent years.
The commission also raised alarm over repeated attacks on schools, places of worship, and rural communities, warning that civilian protection systems are increasingly overstretched.
Despite the concerns, the federal government insists it is scaling up counter-insurgency operations, with expanded recruitment into security agencies and increased defence spending.
President Tinubu has maintained that thousands of fighters have been neutralised while others have surrendered, stressing that his administration remains committed to restoring peace.
Still, opposition lawmakers insist the country is at a critical turning point, warning that without urgent corrective action, both governance and national stability could face deeper strain.
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