ADC, PDP criticise Tinubu over insecurity

The opposition African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, on Thursday, criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the country’s worsening insecurity, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of evading responsibility and resorting to symbolic gestures.

The ADC in particular condemned comments by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who linked recent attacks in Kebbi and Kwara states to remarks made by United States President Donald Trump.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the claim as “a shameful abdication of responsibility” and evidence that the government was overwhelmed.

“The ADC is surprised by the comments attributed to the SGF, Senator George Akume, in which he bizarrely blames recent terrorist attacks in Kebbi and Kwara States on remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump,” the party said.

“We find it quite appalling that the APC-led Federal Government claims its security failures are caused by a tweet by the president of another country. This is a shameful abdication of responsibility, a confirmation that the Tinubu government is clueless about how to solve the security crisis.”

The ADC accused the administration of presiding over years of “horrific massacres, mass abductions and assaults on schools and worship centres,” adding that the government’s attempt to blame foreign remarks for domestic bloodshed was “disingenuous.”

“Those killing Nigerians did not need to be instigated by Trump. They were already emboldened by a government that consistently fails to act decisively,” Abdullahi stated.

He questioned why an administration that regularly boasts of protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty would claim that its security architecture collapsed because of a foreign leader’s comments.

According to the SGF, insurgent networks that had been “significantly degraded” were now attempting to leverage Trump’s October 31 designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”

Trump had warned that Washington could consider deploying American forces or suspending assistance if Abuja failed to curb alleged Christian persecution.

Akume argued that the comments had emboldened extremist groups to “attack soft targets in order to gain visibility.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party blasted President Tinubu’s decision to cancel his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola, calling it mere “tokenism” rather than a genuine attempt to address insecurity, especially after the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP warned Nigerians not to mistake the president’s decision as a show of real leadership.

The cancellation stands as the latest and boldest example of tokenism. It is a perfunctory gesture, not a serious commitment,” the party said

The PDP challenged Tinubu to temporarily relocate to Kebbi State or other conflict zones if he was truly serious about tackling insecurity.

“As President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu must not recline in the comfort of the Villa while 25 schoolgirls have been abducted. True leaders lead from the front,” the statement read.

The party accused the APC administration of offering “denials, rationalised explanations and empty assurances,” adding that insecurity had become the daily reality for Nigerians.

“If this were a political crisis like the Rivers State case, President Tinubu would have deployed every strategy and resource to find a solution,” Ememobong added.

The PDP said Nigerians were tired of “symbolic gestures and media stunts,” urging the government to provide strategic action and stronger support for security personnel.

On November 17, gunmen suspected to be bandits invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The attackers scaled the fence, exchanged gunfire with security personnel and abducted 25 female students.

The school’s vice principal, Hassan Makuku, was shot dead during the assault.

Local officials say some of the girls have since escaped, with at least two found in nearby farmland. Security forces, including police tactical teams, the military and vigilantes, are currently combing forests and escape routes as part of the ongoing rescue effort.

In a separate incident, gunmen attacked a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State, killing at least three worshippers and abducting the pastor and several congregants.

 The attack, which occurred during a service, has heightened fears about escalating banditry and violence targeting civilian populations.

The Senate and the Kebbi State Government have condemned the attacks and called for urgent, coordinated action to rescue the abducted victims and strengthen security across the country.