…Demands 6-month security plan
Fresh criticism has trailed President Bola Tinubu’s administration as former military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Ɗangiwa Umar (rtd), and the Minority Caucus in the 10th House of Representatives separately raised concerns over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
In an open letter to the President, Ɗangiwa Umar commended Tinubu for honouring military officers, civilian activists and pro-democracy campaigners who resisted the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, describing the recognition as a fitting tribute to those who sacrificed for democracy.
He said June 12 remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey and that those who fought for its actualisation deserved national recognition. However, the retired colonel warned that the ideals of the June 12 struggle were under threat, citing persistent insecurity, poverty and concerns over democratic institutions.
Umar described security as the foremost responsibility of government, questioning Tinubu’s Democracy Day remark that Nigeria’s democracy remains a work-in-progress, particularly in the area of security. “What those officers envisaged when they put their lives on the line back in 1993 were ambitious. They took the security of citizens as a given, a minimum condition for the existence of any government”, he said, stressing that without security, all other achievements become meaningless.
He urged the administration to recommit itself to the principles that inspired the June 12 struggle, including an independent judiciary, credible elections, separation of powers, accountability, economic inclusion and a stronger fight against poverty. According to him, many Nigerians had placed their hopes in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda because of his longstanding advocacy for equity, transparency and inclusion.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives accused the Federal Government of focusing on political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections while insecurity and economic challenges continue to worsen.
Addressing newsmen at the National Assembly yesterday, Minority Leader, Hon. Fred Agbedi, expressed alarm over the abduction and death of retired Major-Gen. Rabe Abubakar in Katsina State, describing the incident as evidence of the country’s deteriorating security situation.
The caucus also cited ongoing kidnappings across the country, including the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, and called on the President to present a comprehensive strategy to tackle banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
The lawmakers further criticised a recent Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of five opposition political parties, alleging that the ruling appeared aimed at weakening opposition forces ahead of the 2027 elections. They, however, welcomed the intervention of the Court of Appeal, which halted the enforcement of the judgment.
The caucus accused the Presidency and the ruling APC of prioritising electoral politics over governance and urged the government to focus on addressing hunger, unemployment, insecurity and declining public confidence.
Among its demands, the opposition lawmakers called for a complete overhaul of the nation’s security architecture, an independent investigation into the death of General Abubakar, and the adoption of a 6-month National Security and Economic Recovery Plan.
