By Abubakar Yunusa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday accused President Bola Tinubu of failing in his primary duty to protect Nigerians, following a series of abductions in several states.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said recent kidnappings of students in Kebbi and Niger, as well as worshippers in Kwara, showed that the government was unable to manage the worsening security crisis.
He said the presidency’s handling of the incidents had been “slow, unempathetic, and politically motivated”.
“We again remind the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the entire APC-led administration that the security of lives and property is the primary function of any government,” he said.
“At any time government is unwilling, unable, or incapable of executing this primary role, such a government must either ask for help (locally or internationally) or honourably resign, if it is sincere and responsible.”
Ememobong criticised the Federal Government and some states for ordering the closure of schools after the attacks, saying such actions amounted to surrendering to terrorists.
He also faulted Tinubu for directing the Minister of State for Defence to relocate to Kebbi rather than visiting affected communities himself.
“Instead of the President visiting Kebbi and Niger states to meet and sympathise with the parents of the children who are in captivity, and to address security personnel there, he merely directed the Minister of State for Defence to relocate to Kebbi,” he said.
The PDP warned that shutting schools would further deepen the education gap in the North, where UNICEF estimates that most of Nigeria’s 18.3 million out-of-school children live.
The party urged the government to take urgent, coordinated action to prevent further attacks and restore public confidence.
