By Obinna Uballa
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over worsening insecurity, saying the recent military threat by United States President Donald Trump reflects growing global concern about Nigeria’s failure to protect its citizens.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, accused the Nigerian government of permitting “genocide against Christians” and ordered the U.S. Department of War to prepare for “possible action” if the killings persist.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said Trump’s remarks underscore the collapse of Nigeria’s security architecture under Tinubu and the urgent need for decisive action.
“We are guided by the painful reality that what is really at stake on this issue are the thousands of human lives that have been lost to insecurity in Nigeria, irrespective of tribe, religion, or region,” the party said.
Abdullahi noted that the U.S. President’s classification of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” was a stark reminder that the world expects governments to protect their citizens from violence.
“The statement by President Trump reminds us of the greater global concern about the sanctity of human life, and the cardinal responsibility of national governments to protect the lives of people who live within their borders,” he added.
The ADC said insecurity had escalated dramatically since Tinubu took office, with nearly 15,000 Nigerians reportedly killed in violent incidents since June 2023.
“The crisis that we face is therefore not about any ethnic or religious group being targeted for killing; it is an existential crisis that imperils all Nigerians,” the party stated.
The party cited the attack by JNIM, an Al-Qaeda-linked group, in Kwara State on the same day Trump issued his warning, describing it as evidence of the government’s inability to stem the tide of terror.
It also faulted Tinubu’s failure to appoint ambassadors nearly two years into office, saying the neglect had weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic standing.
“How can a government that has been boasting of unprecedented revenue success continue to give lack of funds as an excuse for not appointing ambassadors?” the ADC queried.
According to the party, Nigeria’s continental influence has plummeted due to poor leadership and lack of direction in foreign policy.
“If this government had been less obsessed with politics, propaganda, and self-celebration, it would have taken every single violent attack seriously,” it said.
The ADC called for immediate reforms, including an overhaul of the security structure, appointment of ambassadors, a reset of foreign policy grounded in national interest, and economic measures to curb inflation.
It further urged the U.S. and other countries to support Nigeria institutionally rather than threaten military action.
“Mobilising armed troops, or even a mere threat of doing so, would do more harm than good and ultimately prove counterproductive. Nigeria is not beyond saving, but time is running out,” the statement concluded.
