Nigeria in Chaos: Minority Lawmakers Bemoan Widespread Insecurity

The minority caucus of the House of Representatives issued a scathing critique of the nation's state on Wednesday, accusing President Bola Tinubu's government of failing to address the worsening insecurity, deepening economic hardship, and mounting threats to democratic institutions.

n

The opposition lawmakers alleged that the administration is prioritizing political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections over addressing the pressing challenges facing Nigerians, with Minority Leader Mr Fred Agbedi stating that the country is facing one of its most difficult periods since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

n

Agbedi cited persistent insecurity, rising poverty, and growing public frustration as evidence of the country's struggles, declaring that "Nigeria is bleeding, Nigeria is confused and Nigeria is being deliberately pushed to the brink by a government that has elevated 2027 electioneering above the lives and welfare of citizens."

n

The caucus convened the press conference "with a heavy heart but with unshaken resolve to speak truth to power," according to Agbedi, who stressed that remaining silent amid the country's challenges would amount to complicity.

n

Three years into the Tinubu administration, the opposition lawmakers argued that Nigerians are yet to see significant improvements in security and economic conditions despite repeated assurances from government officials.

n

A major focus of the briefing was the recent death of retired Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State before dying in captivity, with the lawmakers describing the incident as a tragic reflection of the deteriorating security situation across the country.

n

The lawmakers called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Abubakar's death, with Agbedi stating that "a General of the Nigerian Army, who once commanded troops and defended this nation, could be kidnapped alongside his wife and later declared dead under unclear circumstances is a grave indictment of a failed state."

n

The killing came amid a wave of attacks by bandits, terrorists, and criminal gangs across several parts of the country, including the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South-East, with security personnel, traditional rulers, and ordinary citizens increasingly becoming targets of kidnappers and armed groups.

n

Agbedi questioned the safety of citizens, asking "If a General is not safe within the borders of our nation, then who truly is?" and lamenting the vulnerability of community leaders and traditional rulers who have become frequent targets of criminal elements.

n

The caucus urged President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to immediately present a comprehensive security strategy capable of addressing the multifaceted threats confronting the country, with Agbedi stating that "our security is in the mud."

n

The lawmakers also demanded improved welfare for security personnel, enhanced intelligence gathering, and a complete overhaul of the nation's security architecture, expressing concern over the continued captivity of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo state.

n

Agbedi described the development as another example of the state's inability to guarantee the safety of its citizens, stating that "school children and their teachers abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity, their crime? Going to school in Nigeria."

n

The caucus called for an immediate and coordinated rescue operation by security agencies, warning that prolonged captivity could expose the victims to grave dangers and evoking painful memories of previous mass abductions of students across the country.

n

The incident has continued to raise concerns about the safety of schools despite government efforts under the Safe Schools Initiative, with the lawmakers arguing that the country's challenges are being exacerbated by the administration's priorities.

n

The minority caucus also raised concerns over what it described as troubling developments within the judiciary, particularly a Federal High Court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister five opposition political parties.

n

Agbedi argued that the ruling raises serious questions about the health of Nigeria's democracy and could undermine political pluralism ahead of future elections, stating that "this judgment, coming only months to the country's general elections and after a subsisting Appeal Court decision on the same matter, is not intended to serve justice."

n

The Bayelsa lawmaker described the judgment as "rascality taken too far," arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent capable of weakening democratic participation and shrinking political space, and questioning why submissions reportedly made by INEC were allegedly disregarded.

n

The caucus further alleged that opposition parties have increasingly faced institutional barriers, including delays in the registration of new political parties and attempts to frustrate emerging political coalitions, with Agbedi stating that "from external manipulations and executive meddlesomeness that kept old political structures polarised, to the attempt to truncate new alliances through institutional bottlenecks, the whole goal has been to muscle all credible opposition out of the 2027 contest."

n

The lawmakers welcomed the intervention of the Court of Appeal in halting implementation of the Federal High Court judgment, urging democratic stakeholders to remain vigilant and warning against attempts to weaken opposition voices through judicial and institutional means.

n

Turning to the economy, the caucus painted a bleak picture of conditions facing Nigerians, citing inflation, high food prices, a weakening purchasing power, and widespread hardship, with Agbedi stating that "from Sokoto to Enugu, from Borno to Lagos, the story is the same: hunger, killings, kidnappings, collapse of the naira, collapse of hope."

n

The opposition lawmakers accused the ruling All Progressives Congress and the presidency of prioritizing political activities over governance, with Agbedi challenging President Tinubu to temporarily suspend political activities linked to the next election cycle and focus squarely on addressing the nation's pressing challenges.

n

The caucus called for "An independent and transparent investigation into the abduction and death of Maj Gen Abubakar, immediate efforts to secure the release of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and urgent reforms within the security sector," and urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to intervene in controversies arising from conflicting court judgments relating to political parties.

n

Agbedi vowed that opposition lawmakers would continue to hold the government accountable through constitutional and legislative means, stating that "we will not be silent, we will not be intimidated, we will use every legislative instrument to hold this government accountable."

n

Addressing Nigerians directly, Agbedi urged citizens not to lose faith in democracy despite the country's present challenges, stating that "to Nigerians, do not despair, 2027 will not be decided in Aso Rock or by compromised courts, it will be decided by you, the people."

n

The briefing was attended by the House Minority Whip, Mansur Soro; Deputy Minority Leader, Abdussamad Dasuki and leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress caucus in the House, Mr Afam Ogene.