Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s action towards the Maiduguri’s Monday explosion which claimed 26 lives with 108 injured.
NPO Reported that Tinubu had in a statement issued on Tuesday condemned the attack while ordering the deployment of all service chiefs to the Borno state’s capital.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on his X handle, Atiku talked down Tinubu’s directives as he accused the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led administration of being too heavily invested in campaign for the 2027 Presidential election than addressing the security challenge in the country.
The former Vice President charged Tinubu to shift attention from his 2027 re-election campaign and focus on the reality of insecurity.
“Terrorists don’t know the difference between APC supporters and opposition sympathisers and it’s therefore unhelpful to dismiss honest advice as politically motivated.
“A government that is too heavily invested in the 2027 reelection campaign is unlikely to accept the reality of insecurity and attack those who dare talk about the gaps.
“A mother in Maiduguri is not asking for press releases. She is asking why her child was blown apart in a place the government claimed was “liberated.” He said.
With the President currently on his way to the United Kingdom for a state visit, Atiku called the attention of the King of England, King Charles III, to the Maiduguri attack as he accused Tinubu of leaving Nigerians soldiers with outdated equipment to face the insurgents.
“Our soldiers are dying with outdated equipment while the President is on a state visit to Britain, while body parts are being gathered in Borno.
“We urge His Majesty the King, @RoyalFamily, to know that his guest left behind fresh graves and weeping widows to come and smile for the cameras. Bola Tinubu claims he sent “marching orders.”
“The terrorists sent suicide bombers. Nigerians can see who is winning. A government that treats funerals as routine and criticism as treason has lost the moral authority to lead.
“You cannot campaign for 2027 on the graves of the people you failed to protect in 2026.” He said.
Prior to that, Atiku also accused Tinubu of being obsessed with crushing opposition politicians than addressing the rising cases of insecurity across the country.
“The resurgence of terrorism is capable of eroding public confidence in the ability of the government to protect its own citizens. Nigerians are not impressed with the government’s statements condemning terrorist attacks. They are more concerned about results.
“Results speak louder than the tough government’s rhetorics.
“The Tinubu government appears to be more obsessed with crushing opposition politicians than it is with fixing the worsening security challenges.
“And it is obvious that despite the marching orders, the terrorists are still on the offensive.” He said.
Atiku further expressed concern over the recent rate at which soldiers and civilians are killed as he called on Tinubu to review his strategy.
“The increased waves of killing of soldiers and civilians by terrorists is reviving sad memories of 2014 when Boko Haram was most active in the country.
“While I commend the sacrifices of our servicemen in the conduct of unconventional warfare, the Tinubu administration should review its strategies.” Atiku said.
