(DDM) – The African Democratic Congress has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over any potential plan to enter into covert negotiations with armed bandit groups across the country.
The caution, Diaspora Digital Media DDM gathered, was issued on Wednesday as concerns deepen over the federal government’s evolving strategy toward Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
The ADC said any attempt to strike hidden deals with criminal gangs could undermine national stability.
The party warned that such an approach may embolden violent groups already responsible for mass abductions, rural attacks, and economic disruption across northern Nigeria.
The party insisted that the president must prioritise transparency in all security engagements.
It stressed that Nigeria cannot resolve insecurity through arrangements that bypass constitutional channels.
According to the ADC, engaging bandits outside the knowledge of citizens or state institutions could further erode public trust.
The party argued that Nigeria has faced decades of security setbacks rooted in weak governance systems.
It noted that banditry worsened between 2011 and 2021 due to unchecked proliferation of firearms, collapse of policing structures, and failure to prosecute offenders.
The ADC emphasised that any national security policy must address the structural causes of terrorism and banditry.
It urged the government to invest more in community policing, improved military intelligence and technology-driven surveillance.
The party also called for strengthening of institutions such as the National Intelligence Agency and Defence Intelligence Agency.
It insisted that Nigeria needs a coordinated, transparent and accountable approach.
The ADC further encouraged President Tinubu to consult widely with traditional rulers, state governors and civil society actors.
It warned that secrecy breeds suspicion and could worsen ethnic tensions across border communities.
The party reminded the government that previous covert negotiations under past administrations largely failed.
It referenced failed ransom-based deals that only empowered criminal networks with more resources.
The ADC also criticised the resurgence of kidnapping along major highways and in rural settlements.
It urged the federal government to adopt a firm stance to restore confidence in national security operations.
The party reiterated that Nigeria’s democracy depends on the rule of law, not bargains with violent actors.
It demanded that any discussions with non-state armed groups must follow legal frameworks and be monitored by relevant security agencies.
The ADC finally urged President Tinubu to choose transparency, accountability and national interest above political convenience.
It said Nigerians deserve clarity, not hidden agreements.