The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to seek urgent help or resign from office as Nigeria battles renewed attacks and a wave of school kidnappings across northern states.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the recent abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger, as well as worshippers in Kwara, highlight what he described as the Federal Government’s inability to contain the worsening security crisis.
Ememobong said the President has failed in his “primary responsibility” to protect citizens.
“We again remind President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the entire APC-led administration that the security of lives and property is the primary function of any government,” he said.
“At any time a government is unwilling, unable, or incapable of executing this primary role, such a government must either ask for help locally or internationally or honourably resign, if it is sincere and responsible.”
The PDP spokesman faulted both federal and state authorities for shutting down schools in response to the attacks, arguing that such decisions amount to surrendering territory to terrorists.
He expressed concern that despite multiple kidnappings within a short period, the Federal Government has yet to present a coordinated response, describing the presidency’s reaction as “slow, unempathetic, and politically motivated.”
Ememobong also criticised President Tinubu for directing the Minister of State for Defence to visit Kebbi rather than personally travelling to the affected communities.
“More troubling is the fact that when these unfortunate incidents happen, the administration’s response is usually lacklustre and unempathetic,” he said.
“Instead of the President visiting Kebbi and Niger to meet the parents of the abducted children and address security personnel on the ground, he merely directed the Minister of State for Defence to relocate to Kebbi.”
The opposition party warned that the closure of schools will deepen the education crisis in the North, where UNICEF reports that most of Nigeria’s 18.3 million out-of-school children reside.
The PDP again urged the government to reassess its security strategy, engage local communities, and adopt more proactive measures to prevent further attacks.