The Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA) has strongly criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for what it termed the politicisation of Nigeria's security challenges. The group urged both opposition leaders to emulate politicians in countries like the United States and Israel, who set aside partisan interests during national security crises, such as the September 11 attacks and the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
NEYGA's Reaction to Recent Comments
NEYGA responded to statements by Atiku and Obi following attacks by gunmen on schools in Oyo and Borno states, which resulted in the abduction of several students. Obi accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of lacking the capacity to protect schoolchildren, turning them into 'pawns in a ransom economy.' Atiku argued that the worsening insecurity had made a mockery of the government's Safe Schools Initiative and claimed that President Tinubu had 'no moral or political latitude to remain in Aso Rock if abducted citizens continue to languish in captivity.'
NEYGA's Accusations
NEYGA described these comments as wrong, unethical, and unpatriotic, alleging that both politicians were exploiting the plight of innocent children for political gain. The group also asserted that Atiku and Obi contributed to the current insecurity. In a statement by spokesperson Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, NEYGA expressed disappointment that men who had held high offices would use children's distress to score cheap political points.
The group further claimed that the remarks supported President Tinubu's allegation that some individuals were trying to exploit insecurity to undermine his administration ahead of the 2027 elections. NEYGA specifically criticised Atiku's tenure as Vice President, stating that his administration failed to address Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf early on. 'Had the government in which Atiku served as Vice President nipped Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf in the bud and tackled the menace of out-of-school children early enough, perhaps Nigeria would not have found itself in this security situation,' the group stated.
Criticism of Peter Obi
Regarding Peter Obi, NEYGA alleged that he served as an adviser in an administration that failed to confront terrorism and kidnapping decisively. 'The same Obi who now talks about 'pawns in ransom economy' was part of a government that taught terrorists that money could be made from kidnapping schoolchildren,' the group alleged.
Call for Responsible Commentary
NEYGA advised both politicians to study how opposition figures in other countries respond during national crises, citing examples like the 9/11 attacks, the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, and the 2013 Westgate mall attack in Kenya. In those cases, opposition parties rallied around their governments rather than calling for resignations. 'We find it strange and amusing that Atiku Abubakar, under whose vice presidency Mohammed Yusuf flourished, is now speaking about insecurity as though he and his administration did not nurture the monster,' the statement added.
Background on the Abductions
Earlier, Obi had lamented that schoolchildren had become 'pawns in a ransom economy,' referencing attacks on schools in Mussa Village, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, and Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Atiku, in a separate statement, noted that no fewer than 42 schoolchildren were abducted on May 15 during attacks on Government Day Secondary School, Mussa Central Primary School, and the SUBEB Secondary School in Mussa town, Borno State. He also reported that over 40 students and teachers were abducted from schools in Oyo State on the same day.
NEYGA urged Atiku and Obi to exercise caution and responsibility when commenting on national security matters, emphasising the need for unity during crises.
