Opposition parties in Nigeria have criticised the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the country’s ranking in the Global Terrorism Index 2026, which places Nigeria fourth globally in terms of the impact of terrorism.
In a press statement issued on 19 March 2026, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the development as “painful,” noting that Nigeria, alongside four other countries, accounted for nearly 70 per cent of global deaths from terrorism. The party further stated that Nigeria recorded one of the two largest increases in terrorism-related deaths.
The statement, signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, read in part: “While this report is not surprising to Nigerians, it is most painful that people who promised and were elected and appointed to secure our country are wining, dining, and dancing in a faraway land, whilst terrorists are killing and kidnapping citizens rampantly.”
The PDP added that the findings reflect Nigerians’ daily experiences, stressing that insecurity has worsened significantly under the current administration.
“This global report aligns with the daily lived reality of Nigerians, who are now more insecure than they have ever been in this Fourth Republic. In fact, under President Tinubu’s watch, insecurity has not just become very lucrative; it has attained a trillion-naira economy status.”
The party called on the Federal Government to move beyond what it described as “reactive responses” and adopt a comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity.
“We call on the President and the entire security hierarchy to stop performing reactive responses that have defined post-attack communications and rather adopt a whole-of-society approach towards solving insecurity,” the statement said.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also faulted the administration, citing figures from the same global index to argue that insecurity has deteriorated.
In a separate statement, the ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated: “While President Tinubu eats cake in London, the Global Terrorism Index confirms that more Nigerians have died from terrorist attacks under his watch than at any other time in history.”
The ADC claimed that terror attacks increased by 43 per cent, rising from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025. It also noted that Borno State accounted for 67 per cent of attacks and 72 per cent of deaths, with civilians making up 67 per cent of those killed.
Highlighting what it described as a lack of leadership response, the statement read: “It is interesting to note that when 7 American soldiers were killed in the recent Iran conflict, President Trump went to receive their bodies. But when 30 civilians were killed this week in Borno, President Tinubu flew to the United Kingdom for tea and biscuits.”
The ADC outlined a three-point plan to address insecurity, should it be given the mandate, including improved intelligence coordination, decentralised policing, and a shift from reactive to preventive security strategies.
“First, we will fix coordination. Nigeria does not lack intelligence; it lacks coordination. Today, agencies operate in silos, warnings are missed, and response is delayed,” the party stated.
“Second, we will bring security closer to the people. Nigeria cannot be policed effectively from Abuja alone. Third, we will shift from reaction to prevention. Today, Nigeria reacts to attacks after lives are lost.”
Both parties reiterated that protecting lives and property remains the government’s primary responsibility, urging the Tinubu administration to take decisive steps to address the worsening security situation.
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