The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of showing what it described as “brazen insensitivity” to Nigeria’s deepening insecurity, saying his continued attendance at political and social events amid rising violence reflects a disturbing lack of leadership.
In a statement issued on Sunday, October 5, by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said, “As the Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in whom the constitutional authority to secure the lives and property of citizens is vested, the President’s continued preference for attending social and political events in the midst of alarming deterioration of internal security is both unacceptable and irresponsible.”
The ADC expressed outrage over reports that nine local government areas in Kwara State were recently attacked by armed bandits, forcing residents to pay ransoms in food, drinks, and cash to avoid further assaults.
“This is a complete failure of governance,” Abdullahi stated, adding that the presidency had not acknowledged the crisis or offered a response to the suffering communities.
The party also cited other incidents of violence, including a deadly attack on travellers in Kogi State and the closure of over 180 schools across northern Nigeria due to insecurity.
“From Plateau to Zamfara, Benue to Niger, Kaduna to Kwara, incidents of mass abductions, violent attacks, and forced displacement continue to rise,” the statement read.
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According to Abdullahi, while citizens are living under siege, “the President continues to attend funerals and ceremonies involving political associates.
“This sends the unfortunate message that the President cares more about political appearances than the lives of Nigerian citizens.”
The ADC faulted Tinubu’s earlier claims of progress in the fight against insecurity, calling them “a tragic denial of the reality of most Nigerians who have had to bury loved ones in recent days.”
Abdullahi said, “This denial by the President, no doubt, emanates either from cruel indifference or tragic oversimplification of a very complex problem.”
The ADC also accused the President of failing to genuinely unite Nigerians, arguing that “President Tinubu’s actions or inactions since he came to power have divided Nigerians more than ever before.”
The party urged the government to acknowledge the scale of the security crisis, engage affected communities directly, strengthen military-police coordination, and improve transparency in the use of security funds.
“Nigeria is under attack,” Abdullahi warned. “This administration must stop pretending otherwise. The lives of Nigerians must matter more than soundbites and ceremonies. The time for symbolic gestures is over.”