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Demands Review of Security Situation in North East
- Safiu Kehinde
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) faulted President Bola Tinubu’s trip to the United Kingdom for the commencement of his state visit hours after the deadly multiple explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State.
NPO Reported that suspected suicide bombers had yesterday evening detonated bombs at the Maiduguri Monday night market, a nearby post office, and at the premises of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The explosions claimed the lives of 23 people with over 100 others injured.
While condemning the attack, the ADC, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, slammed Tinubu’s decision to proceed with his state visit rather than staying in the country to address the security concerns.
“Terrorism anywhere in Nigeria is an attack on all Nigerians. At moments like this, the country must stand together with the people who have been affected.
“Moments like this demand the full and undivided attention of the nation’s leadership.
“It is therefore troubling that the President is currently outside the country at a time when such a serious security breach has occurred.” He said.
The ADC spokesperson accused the Tinubu-led administration of focusing more on politics than security as he further called out the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defense, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd).
“At a time when Nigerian soldiers and civilians are being killed by terrorists, those charged with protecting the country are focused on politics instead of security.
“The National Security Adviser is going after opposition figures and calling bandits his “brothers”, while the Minister of Defence is on television planning the APC national convention. This is not leadership. It is a dangerous distraction, and it is costing lives.
“In any serious country, a devastating security breach would command the full attention of government. Leaders would return home, address the nation, and take responsibility.
“Instead, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is abroad, exchanging pleasantries with the King and Queen of England while Nigerians mourn and soldiers are being buried.” Abdullahi said.
The ADC maintained that oath of office clearly dictated that the primary duty of government is the protection of lives.
This, according to the statement, has not being met.
The ADC labelled the President’s engagements as political distractions as it called for immediate security review of the situation in the North East.
“The protection of lives and property is the most basic responsibility of any government. It cannot be treated as secondary to political distractions or competing priorities.
“The ADC therefore calls for an immediate and transparent security review of the situation in the North East, along with a clear briefing to the Nigerian people on the current state of counter-insurgency operations in the region.” Abdullahi wrote.
The opposition party also urge the Federal Government to ensure that victims receive urgent medical care and that adequate support and compensation are provided to affected families while noting that the safety of Nigerians must be held in highest regards.
“Nigeria cannot continue on a path where the loss of lives becomes routine.
“We are only in the third month of the year, and already thousands of Nigerians have been killed in violent attacks across the country. This is unacceptable.
“The safety of Nigerians must remain the highest priority of government at all times.” The ADC spokesperson added.