Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the latest terrorist violence in Maiduguri, Borno State, and the resurgence of suicide attacks.
He also urged President Bola Tinubu to change strategy, stressing that the resurgence of terrorism could erode public confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens.
While reacting to the incident in a statement by his media office on Tuesday, the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said: “I’m very sad at the latest terrorist attacks in Borno State and the resurfacing of suicide bombing that were hitherto defeated.”
According to Atiku, 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. The resurgence of terrorism is capable of eroding public confidence in the ability of the government to protect its own citizens,” Atiku said.
According to Atiku, “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 rhetoric.”
The former Vice President further expressed concern, saying that the Tinubu government appears to be more obsessed with crushing opposition politicians than it is with fixing the worsening security challenges.
He regrets that despite Tinubu’s so-called marching orders, the terrorists are still on the offensive.
Atiku noted that tackling insecurity is a major yardstick in judging the competence of any government and that President Tinubu must be held to the same standards that he subjected other leaders to.
“One of the problems of the Tinubu administration is that the opinions of sycophants who hide the truth from the president are more respected than the opinions of well-meaning citizens who offer honest advice.”
He explained that the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has politicised insecurity to a point where anyone who points out the flaws or gaps in security strategies is tagged opposition politician.
He advised President Tinubu to open his mind to honest advice and be wary of sycophants who hide the reality from him.
“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,” Atiku added.
