Tinubu should resign if he can’t secure Nigerians — Agbedi

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to resign if he is unable to provide effective leadership and guarantee the security of Nigerians.

Agbedi made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he defended his earlier call for the President to step down over the country’s security challenges.

According to the lawmaker, democracy gives citizens and opposition figures the right to demand accountability from leaders who fail to meet expectations.

“When Tinubu said from Lagos that Jonathan should resign, what did you say? That is the duty and beauty of democracy,” Agbedi said.

“The beauty of democracy is that if you are unable to provide leadership to your nation and your government fails, those in the opposition and free citizens have the right to tell you to either perform or quit.”

The Bayelsa lawmaker recalled that during the Eighth National Assembly, he openly criticised the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari over insecurity and governance challenges.

“I stood on the floor of the House of Representatives and said the Buhari government had failed. I also said the lives of Nigerians were worth more than a one-minute silence,” he stated.

Agbedi questioned whether President Tinubu’s efforts to address the nation’s security problems were sufficient, arguing that leadership requires visible commitment and decisive action.

“Is his best good enough? If he is unable to provide the leadership required, then he should resign,” he said.

The Minority Leader also criticised the President’s handling of recent security-related incidents, including attacks in Plateau State and the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.

Referring to Tinubu’s visit to Plateau State following deadly attacks in some communities, Agbedi claimed the President left shortly after arriving and failed to sufficiently engage with affected residents.

He also faulted the President for not visiting Oyo State after the abduction of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area.

“How many children are still in captivity in Oyo State? The President was in Lagos. Did he go to Ibadan?” Agbedi asked.

Drawing a comparison with foreign leaders, he argued that effective leadership requires empathy and direct engagement with victims of insecurity.

He added that elected leaders must demonstrate commitment to the safety and welfare of citizens, particularly during periods of national crisis.