Nigerian lives must mean more than soundbites – ADC blasts Tinubu over insecurity

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has blasted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it called his lack of seriousness toward Nigeria’s growing security challenges.

The opposition party accused the president of focusing more on political events while Nigerians continue to lose their lives to attacks across the country.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Tinubu’s recent comments about uniting Nigerians is “mere political talk,” saying his actions do not show that he understands what true unity means.

According to the party, insecurity has spread across several states, with ordinary citizens now paying ransoms in cash and food to armed groups. The ADC said this situation reflects a total failure of governance and blamed the presidency for failing to acknowledge or respond to these crises.

The party lamented that while communities in states like Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, and Zamfara are facing deadly attacks, the president continues to attend political and social gatherings. It said such actions suggest that the president cares more about image than about the safety of citizens.

The ADC recalled that hundreds were killed earlier in the year in Plateau State without any visit from the president. It said Tinubu’s claims of progress against insecurity are “a tragic denial” of the pain Nigerians face daily.

The party further stated that Tinubu’s promise to unite the country is mere talk because his policies and silence on critical issues have divided Nigerians more than ever. It warned that symbolic gestures, such as attending church events or wearing traditional outfits from different regions, cannot replace real leadership and compassion.

The ADC called on the federal government to take steps that include: admit the true scale of Nigeria’s security crisis instead of making false claims of success, work closely with affected states and communities to understand their needs, improve national security coordination and strengthen collaboration between the military, police, and local vigilante groups, regularly publish reports on security operations and outcomes and ensure transparency in how security funds are spent.

“The lives of Nigerians must matter more than soundbites and ceremonies,” it said. “This is the time for real leadership, urgency, and measurable results,” the party said.