Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign over the rising insecurity across Nigeria.
In a statement released on Thursday, Atiku blamed the growing insecurity in the country on what he described as the failure of the Tinubu administration to protect Nigerians.
The former Vice President expressed concern over the increasing cases of terrorism and kidnapping, particularly attacks targeting schools and students across different parts of the country.
According to him, the worsening security situation has become a major threat to the education sector and has exposed the weakness of the government’s Safe Schools initiative.
Atiku lamented that terrorists now operate freely and continue to threaten innocent citizens without facing serious resistance from the authorities.
He spoke while reacting to the recent abduction of dozens of schoolchildren in Borno and Oyo states.
Reports indicated that at least 42 pupils were kidnapped on May 15 after terrorists attacked Government Day Secondary School, Mussa Central Primary School and SUBEB Secondary School in Mussa town, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
On the same day, more than 40 students and teachers were also abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Primary School Esiele and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
One of the abducted teachers was later reportedly killed by the attackers, while many of the victims are still being held captive.
Reacting to the incidents, Atiku accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of making promises without taking decisive steps to end insecurity.
He urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward securing the immediate release of all abducted students and teachers.
Atiku maintained that the security and welfare of citizens remain the primary responsibility of every government, insisting that the Tinubu administration has failed in that duty.
“President Tinubu has no moral or political right to remain in office while many Nigerians are still trapped in captivity across the country,” he stated.
The former Vice President questioned how criminal groups had been allowed to turn parts of the country into centres for kidnapping, killings and extortion.
He also stressed that security issues should not be reduced to political statements, adding that Nigerians expect quick and effective action whenever attacks occur.
According to him, delayed responses to terrorist attacks only encourage criminals to carry out more assaults on schools and communities.
Atiku further said the government must reassure citizens that it is capable of protecting lives and maintaining peace across the country.
He added that mere condemnation of attacks is not enough unless it is backed by urgent rescue operations and stronger security measures.
The Waziri of Adamawa also called for speedy trials for arrested terrorists and bandits, noting that terrorism-related cases often drag on for too long in Nigerian courts.
He proposed the creation of special courts to handle terrorism and banditry cases and advocated the enforcement of the death penalty for convicted terrorists.
According to Atiku, such measures would only be effective if the government demonstrates the political will to implement them fully.
READ ALSO:
- PDP Leadership Crisis Worsens as Enugu Faction Selects Nwogbo as Governorship Candidate
- Tension in APC as Five Governors Allegedly Move to Sack National Chairman Yilwatda
- Armed Bandits Execute Two Zamfara Officials, Take Others Hostage
- NELFUND: Student Upkeep Payments Are Still Running
- Tinubu Defends Reforms, Says Nigeria Recovering In Third Anniversary Address
