Opposition members of the House of Representatives have launched a blistering attack on the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of failing to stem the tide of insecurity, worsening economic hardship and growing threats to democratic governance.
The lawmakers, operating under the minority caucus of the House, also alleged that political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections has taken precedence over governance, even as millions of Nigerians grapple with hardship and insecurity.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday, House Minority Leader Fred Agbedi painted a grim picture of the nation’s condition, describing the current situation as one of the most challenging periods since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
“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,” Agbedi declared.
He explained that the opposition caucus chose to address the nation because remaining silent in the face of mounting national challenges would amount to abandoning its responsibility.
According to him, the lawmakers gathered “with a heavy heart but with unshaken resolve to speak truth to power,” insisting that Nigerians deserve honest conversations about the country’s direction.
A major focus of the briefing was the recent death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly kidnapped alongside his wife in Katsina State before dying in captivity.
The caucus described the incident as a devastating symbol of Nigeria’s deteriorating security landscape.
“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. It is a national embarrassment,” Agbedi added.
The lawmakers noted that the tragedy occurred against a backdrop of recurring attacks by terrorists, bandits and criminal gangs across several regions of the country.
Questioning the effectiveness of current security measures, Agbedi asked: “If a General is not safe within the borders of our nation, then who truly is?
He also lamented the vulnerability of traditional institutions and community leaders who increasingly find themselves targets of criminal groups.
“Our security is in the mud. Yet, the political class is busy rehearsing new political dance steps, seemingly unbothered,” he added.
The caucus challenged President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, to unveil a clear and comprehensive strategy capable of addressing the country’s escalating security threats.
“At a period in our nation’s long-drawn battle with these insurgents, victory was close by, especially with the presence of mercenaries in the frontlines. Today, no one is sure what the strategy, if any, is,” Agbedi stated.
The lawmakers also advocated sweeping reforms, including better welfare packages for security personnel, stronger intelligence capabilities and a restructuring of the nation’s security framework.
The opposition caucus expressed alarm over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State, describing the situation as another painful indicator of the government’s inability to adequately protect citizens.
“As we speak, school children and their teachers abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity. Their crime? Going to school in Nigeria,” Agbedi said.
The lawmakers urged security agencies to launch a coordinated rescue effort, warning that prolonged captivity could expose the victims to greater danger.
The caucus also criticised recent developments in the judiciary, particularly the Federal High Court ruling ordering the deregistration of five opposition political parties.
Agbedi argued that the judgment raises troubling concerns about democratic freedoms and political competition ahead of future elections.
“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. Instead, it appears to be a deliberate ploy to engender judicial chaos weaponised to destabilise the polity,” he said.
The Bayelsa lawmaker described the ruling as “rascality taken too far,” warning that it could undermine political pluralism and weaken democratic participation.
He further questioned why information reportedly provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission suggesting that the affected parties had met legal requirements through previous electoral victories was allegedly ignored.
The lawmakers also accused authorities of erecting barriers against opposition groups and emerging political alliances.
“From external manipulations and executive meddlesomeness that kept old political structures polarised, to the attempt to truncate new alliances through institutional bottlenecks, such as the refusal to register new political parties, the whole goal has been to muscle all credible opposition out of the 2027 contest,” Agbedi alleged.
While commending the intervention of the Court of Appeal in halting the implementation of the ruling, the caucus urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in defence of democratic values.
Turning to economic issues, the lawmakers said Nigerians are enduring severe hardship marked by inflation, rising food prices and declining purchasing power.
They argued that major economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange-rate liberalisation, have imposed heavy burdens on citizens without sufficient safeguards.
“From Sokoto to Enugu, from Borno to Lagos, the story is the same: hunger, killings, kidnappings, collapse of the naira, collapse of hope,” Agbedi added.
The opposition lawmakers accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of focusing more on political survival than governance.
“Yet what preoccupies the ruling party and the Presidency is 2027 endorsement rallies, defections, re-election strategies and Town hall meetings to discuss tenure security,” he said.
They challenged President Tinubu to set aside electoral calculations and concentrate on resolving the nation’s urgent problems.
“President Tinubu must suspend all 2027 political activities and declare a six-month National Security and Economic Recovery Plan,” urging him to “Lead or leave.”
As part of its recommendations, the caucus demanded “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.”
The lawmakers also called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to address controversies arising from conflicting court decisions involving political parties and urged INEC to safeguard democratic competition ahead of the next election cycle.
Warning against attempts to suppress opposition voices, Agbedi said: “The attempt to kill opposition parties through judicial ambush, to ignore mass killings while chasing second term, and to normalise the abduction of children is a declaration of war against Nigerians.”**
He assured Nigerians that opposition lawmakers would continue to challenge the government through constitutional and parliamentary means.
“We will not be silent. We will not be intimidated. We will use every legislative instrument to hold this government accountable,” he stated.
In a direct message to citizens, Agbedi urged Nigerians not to lose faith in democracy despite the current challenges.
“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.
“The opposition parties will stand with you. The opposition will not be muscled out. Nigeria will be rescued.”
The briefing was attended by Deputy Minority Leader Abdussamad Dasuki, Minority Whip Mansur Soro and Afam Ogene, among other opposition lawmakers.
(Ripples)
