Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over the rising insecurity in Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, urging him to step aside if the challenges are too overwhelming.
In a tweet on his official X handle on Tuesday, Atiku emphasized the urgent need for effective leadership to address the pervasive insecurity and economic challenges facing the country.
“If the shoes are too big for Emilokan, he should step aside. Nigeria does not need another Tourist-in-Chief,” said Atiku, who lost to Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku accused President Tinubu of being indifferent to the security crisis, stating, “Tinubu is playing fiddle while Nigeria is drowning in the ocean of insecurity.”
He highlighted recent tragic incidents, including the killing of a nursing mother and grandmother in Abuja by kidnappers demanding a N90 million ransom, as well as the abduction of two monarchs in Ekiti.
“To imagine that the Commander-in-Chief is on a so-called private visit while kidnappers kill a nursing mother and grandmother in Abuja for failing to pay N90m ransom and two monarchs in Ekiti, among other regular tragedies besetting Nigerians,” Atiku lamented.
Tinubu assumed office with a commitment to address the country’s security challenges, including jihadist activities in the North-East, criminal militias in the North-West, and intercommunal violence in central states.
However, critics argue that the kidnapping crisis remains uncontrolled.
Despite the president’s plans to address the root causes of violence through education, experts suggest that impunity, inadequate security measures, and insufficient government presence contribute to the escalating violence.
