Insecurity: Atiku, Amaechi slam Tinubu over Maiduguri blasts

President focusing more on opponents than security – Atiku

Tinubu’s govt killing Nigerians, says ex-Rivers gov

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday, accused President Tinubu of persistent failure in protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

The duo stated this in separate statements in reaction to the Monday night explosions that rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, killing at least 23 people and injuring many others.

Expressing deep worry over the return of deadly attacks in Borno State in particular and the North East in general, the former vice president in a post shared on X on Tuesday, said he felt sad about the new wave of violence, adding “this situation is bringing back memories of 2014 when insurgents were at their peak in Nigeria.”

He pointed to the rise in suicide bombings and attacks on both civilians and security personnel as very concerning.

Atiku praised Nigerian soldiers for their hard work but urged the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rethink its security strategy.

He said “the rise in attacks could weaken public trust in the government’s ability to keep citizens safe.”

The ex-VP also noted that many Nigerians are unhappy with official statements that only condemn attacks.

“People are more interested in visible action and improved security results,” he said.

He accused the government of focusing more on political opponents than addressing the growing security crisis.

“Terrorists continue to strike despite claims that strong directives have been given to security agencies,” he added.

Atiku warned that insecurity affects everyone, regardless of political views, adding that “ignoring honest concerns by tagging them as political could worsen the situation.”

He described the suffering of families affected by the attacks, especially in Maiduguri, and said many citizens are asking why such incidents are happening in places previously declared safe.

Atiku also raised concerns about soldiers, claiming they are fighting insurgents with poor equipment while the president is away on an official trip to the United Kingdom.

 “The government must take the security situation more seriously. Failure to protect lives could affect public trust and leadership credibility,” he concluded.

Also reacting, former Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who accused the President Tinubu-led administration of persistent failure in protecting the lives and property of Nigerians, described the government as abysmally incompetent and lacking the basic leadership skill set to protect Nigerians.

In a statement on Tuesday, Amaechi, who is also a former governor of Rivers State, while commiserating with the families of the victims of the Monday night bombing incident in Maiduguri Borno State, said Nigerians cannot continue to mourn and live in fear, while Tinubu and his lackeys at the helm of affairs in the country, live lavishly and ostentatiously while failing to take decisive actions to put an end to the raging insecurity.

He said: “This government is killing Nigerians. I repeat, President Tinubu’s government is killing Nigerians, literally destroying lives. He has failed in the most sacred duty of protecting the lives of its citizens. The Monday bombings in Maiduguri is not just a tragedy, it is a damning indictment of a leadership that has grown complacent, incompetent, and indifferent to the sufferings and death of Nigerians to ravaging bandits.

“While families mourn and communities live in fear, those in power issue hollow statements and make empty promises. In fact now, they don’t bother to make promises anymore. They just move on as if nothing happened. Tinubu would rather be dining and partying in London while Nigeria burns. They just don’t care!

“How many more lives must be lost before they admit their failure? How many more communities must be shattered and destroyed before they take decisive action? Insecurity has become the daily reality of ordinary citizens, and yet the government continues to stumble, unprepared and unwilling to confront the menace with the seriousness it demands.”

“Nigerians deserve safety, peace, and dignity, not negligence and continued excuses. If those in power cannot guarantee that, then they have no business clinging to authority. Leadership is not about rhetoric, it is about responsibility, action, and making the right decisions for the good of the people. Right now, this government has abandoned that responsibility, and the nation is paying the price,” Amaechi said.

He empathized with the people of Borno state, the victims of the bombings and their innocent families “whose lives have now been shattered because of Tinubu’s government failure to protect them,” adding that enough is enough and President Tinubu should resign as he has failed woefully to perform his basic responsibility of protecting lives and property of Nigerians

Amaechi reminded the government that the people will not be silenced, nor will they accept to live in continued fear. “One day, the people will rise and resist incompetence, reclaim their right to live in peace and safety. Only then will the government realise that the people’s voice is stronger than bombs, and failed leadership.”