The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of being insensitive to Nigeria’s worsening security situation, alleging that he prioritises political appearances over his constitutional duty to protect citizens.
In a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party criticised the President’s remarks at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos where he spoke about national unity describing them as “political rhetoric” lacking sincerity or substance.
“As the Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, the President’s continued preference for attending social and political events amid alarming deterioration of internal security is both unacceptable and irresponsible,” the statement read.
The ADC cited multiple incidents, including the siege of nine local government areas in Kwara State by armed bandits, where residents are reportedly forced to provide food, money, and valuables as ransom. It also referenced a deadly attack in Kogi State that left several travellers dead and others kidnapped, alongside the closure of more than 180 schools across Northern Nigeria due to rising insecurity.
“From Plateau to Zamfara, Benue to Niger, Kaduna to Kwara, incidents of mass abductions, violent attacks, and forced displacement continue to rise. Yet, the federal government persists in offering vague assurances that ‘progress’ is being made an insensitive claim refuted daily in blood and body counts,” the party said.
The ADC further accused President Tinubu of attending ceremonies and funerals involving political allies while ignoring visits to violence-stricken communities.
“This sends the unfortunate message that the President cares more about political appearances than the lives of Nigerian citizens,” it added.
The party recalled that despite repeated mass killings in Plateau State earlier this year, the President “remained in the cosy comfort of the Presidential Villa to condemn attacks he should have prevented.”
Describing Tinubu’s claims of progress in tackling insecurity as “a tragic denial of reality,” the ADC said such statements reflect “either cruel indifference or a gross oversimplification of a complex problem.”
On the issue of national unity, the party dismissed the President’s gestures as hollow and ineffective.
“For avoidance of doubt, President Tinubu’s actions or inactions since he came to power have divided Nigerians more than ever before. Symbolism of national unity cannot replace genuine leadership or empathy,” the statement said.
The ADC urged the federal government to take immediate, concrete steps to restore security nationwide, including:
- Acknowledging the scale and complexity of the crisis instead of making “insensitive claims of progress.”
- Engaging directly with affected communities to understand their realities.
- Strengthening coordinated deployments of security forces in collaboration with local networks.
- Publishing regular security reports for transparency and accountability.
- Auditing federal security funds to ensure proper use and improved results.
“Nigeria is under attack. This administration must stop pretending otherwise,” the ADC warned. “The time for symbolic gestures is over. What the country needs now is responsible leadership, operational urgency, and measurable results.”
