Atiku Criticises Tinubu Over Insecurity Remarks, Warns Government Will Be Judged By Performance

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over comments suggesting that rising insecurity would not force him out of office, describing the stance as disconnected from the realities faced by Nigerians.

In a statement issued by his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the president’s remarks were troubling and failed to reflect the severity of the country’s security challenges. He argued that the loss of lives across the country should not be reduced to political rhetoric.

“It is horrifying that the deaths of innocent citizens killed due to failures in security are reduced to mere political rhetoric,” he said.

Atiku maintained that while Tinubu has the constitutional right to seek re-election, his administration has fallen short in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property. He warned that the scale of violence in the country has become alarming, citing estimates that thousands of Nigerians have been killed since 2023.

He added that the impact of the violence goes beyond statistics, affecting families and communities across the country.

“These are not just numbers, they are families shattered, communities destroyed, and a nation bleeding,” he said.

The former vice president also criticised what he described as inadequate government response to recent attacks, including an incident in Ekiti State where a church was reportedly attacked by gunmen, leading to deaths and abductions.

He said the lack of visible empathy and decisive action from authorities was contributing to declining public trust, especially amid rising living costs and economic pressures.

Atiku further cautioned against suppressing criticism, noting that citizens are directly experiencing the consequences of governance and have the right to speak out.

He emphasised that leadership during crises requires responsibility, empathy, and concrete action, not defiance.

“Ultimately, the people will decide based on what they see and experience,” he said, adding that governance itself remains under scrutiny as insecurity persists across the country.