The ADC claims Tinubu's administration is making plans to rehabilitate and readmit former terrorists who have renounced their extremist views back into the community.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has made allegations that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is moving forward with plans to reintegrate individuals it refers to as "so-called repentant terrorists" back into society, according to a statement posted by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, on X on Sunday.

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This move has sparked concern within the party, which warns that it reflects a flawed understanding of the country's security challenges, as evident from a pattern of official remarks describing such individuals as "brothers" and "prodigal sons".

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The ADC's statement emphasizes that terrorism should not be trivialized, as it remains a significant threat to national security, and that it is not a matter of a family dispute or a moral metaphor, but rather a sustained and organized campaign of violence against the Nigerian state and its people.

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The party criticizes the approach of prioritizing rehabilitation over accountability, stating that responding to the threat of terrorism with softened language and policies that prioritize rehabilitation over accountability is not compassion, but rather weakness.

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According to the ADC, the reported reintegration plan raises concerns about the lack of transparency and clear safeguards, with Nigerians being left in the dark about who has been investigated, prosecuted, or deemed safe for reintegration.

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The party highlights the absence of clarity on the systems that will monitor these individuals after their release, as well as the lack of assurance that affected communities have been consulted or protected.

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The ADC warns that reintegrating individuals accused of terrorism without due process could undermine justice and embolden criminality, stating that reintegration without justice is not reconciliation, but rather injustice.

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This approach, the party argues, sends the wrong signal to victims who are still waiting for closure, and that any strategy for tackling terrorism must prioritize accountability and the rule of law.

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The ADC maintains that those who have committed grave crimes will face the full weight of the law, as justice is not optional in a society governed by laws, and that the government must adopt a clearer and more decisive strategy in addressing insecurity.

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The opposition party concludes by noting that national security is not a guessing game, and that it requires leadership that understands the stakes and is prepared to act with firmness and clarity.