Killings in Nigeria: Tinubu asked to resign immediately

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to either seek local and international assistance to tackle insecurity in Nigeria or resign honourably.

Ini Ememobong, the party’s Fractional National Publicity Secretary, issued the statement on Sunday, urging the government to adopt a comprehensive strategy to address the crisis, rather than relying on simplistic measures such as closing schools to prevent kidnappings or to score political points.

According to the PDP, Nigerians have witnessed a surge in kidnappings across Northern Nigeria under the APC-led Tinubu administration.

Each abduction, the party said, leaves behind “a trail of sorrows, tears, blood, fear, and deep anguish on the families of those affected and their communities.”

The PDP noted that while state governments in the affected regions have taken desperate measures, the federal government has yet to provide any clear direction.

“We are aware that the closure of schools in these areas is already being implemented by some state governments and is currently being contemplated by the Federal Government,” the statement said.

The party warned that such closures, like many “quick-fix approaches” of the current administration, would amount to “a complete surrender to terrorists, whose sole aim is to shut down schools and prevent children from obtaining formal education, which they declare forbidden. If the schools are closed, the goal of the terrorists would have been inadvertently achieved.”

The PDP further criticized the government’s response to insecurity, describing it as “lacklustre and unempathetic.”

“We charge the Federal Government to immediately fund and implement the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools anchored on community intelligence and quick security response, capable of anticipating and contending with attacks on schools,” the statement added.

It concluded with a pointed reminder to the President and his administration:

“We again remind the President, Bola Tinubu, and the entire APC-led administration that the security of lives and property is the primary function of any government. At any time, government is unwilling, unable, or incapable of executing this primary role, such a government must either ask for help (locally or internationally) or honourably resign, if it is sincere and responsible.”