ADC asks Tinubu to cut short UK visit over insecurity

…NGF says Maiduguri suicide bombings despicable

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to cut short his visit to the United Kingdom and return home to address Nigeria’s worsening security situation, following deadly bomb blasts in Maiduguri, Borno State.

President Tinubu is currently on a state visit to the United Kingdom as a guest of King Charles III and Queen Camill.

However, the visit came amid renewed violence in the North-East. On Monday night, multiple suspected suicide bombings in Maiduguri reportedly claimed several lives and left more than 100 people injured, raising fresh concerns about the resurgence of insecurity in the region.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the ADC, through Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, said the tragic incident underscores the urgent need for focused leadership and decisive action to safeguard lives and property.

“In case this Government has forgotten, those being killed by terrorists are not just numbers. Those soldiers being mowed down by bandits are people’s children, husbands, fathers and families.

Read also: Northeast economy faces fresh shock as Maiduguri explosions kill 25

“In any serious country, a devastating security breach would command the full attention of government, with leaders returning home to address the nation and take responsibility.

“Instead, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is abroad, exchanging pleasantries with the King and Queen of England while Nigerians mourn and soldiers are being buried.

“Not a word has been spared for the victims or the brave soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of Nigeria. The protection of lives and property is the most basic responsibility of any government and must not be treated as secondary to political distractions or competing priorities.

“The ADC therefore calls on the President to return immediately and demonstrate commitment to this fundamental duty,” the party said.

The opposition party said it is no longer enough for Government to merely issue condolences, adding that meaningful support, including compensation, should be provided to victims and their families.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), on Tuesday, described the multiple suicide bombings in Maiduguri on Monday night as shocking and despicable.

Condemning the attacks as evil and unacceptable, the Forum said the incidents were a reckless waste of human lives and tasked the security forces to degrade the capacity of the terrorists to carry out such attacks.

A statement signed by Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor read: “Our condolences and sympathies are with the people and government of Borno State on this sad development. We stand in firm solidarity with them, and will continue to work with the Federal Government to totally defeat terrorists in any part of the country.

“We condemn the Maiduguri cowardly attacks on civilians and government offices, and we reassure our security forces of our continued support for the operations to end this menace.”