ADC Accuses APC of Tolerating Criminality, Citing Security Chiefs' Remarks
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a sharp criticism against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of tolerating criminality rather than confronting it directly. This accusation stems from recent comments attributed to key security officials, which the opposition party claims reveal a perilous mindset within the government.
Security Chiefs' Controversial Statements
According to the ADC, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nubu Ribadu, referred to terrorists as "my brothers," while the Chief of Army Staff allegedly called them "my sons." In a tweet posted on Friday, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned these remarks, stating they "pretend great danger and clearly indicate a deliberate mindset that harbours evil and unacceptable norms."
Abdullahi elaborated, "First it was the NSA who referred to terrorists as my brothers, and now the Chief of Army Staff who referred to terrorists as my sons. These rhetorics reflect a dangerous mindset that accommodates and tolerates criminality instead of confronting it." He argued that framing terrorists in familial terms blurs the moral and legal lines essential for an effective security response.
Implications for National Security
The ADC spokesperson warned that this mindset helps explain why the current government's approach has struggled to protect lives and decisively end killings. "When a government begins to frame terrorists in familial terms, it blurs the moral and legal lines that must remain clear in any serious security response," he said. "With this mindset, it is easy to understand why the current approach has struggled to protect lives and decisively end the killings. This must not be allowed to continue."
In response, the ADC outlined its proposed counter-terrorism strategy, emphasizing a no-tolerance policy. The party vowed that under its governance, there would be no ambiguity regarding the identity of bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists. "Bandits and kidnappers and terrorists will be treated the same as all enemies of Nigeria," the party declared.
ADC's Proposed Counter-Terrorism Framework
The ADC detailed a comprehensive plan to address security challenges, which includes:
- Establishing special terrorism courts to ensure swift prosecution.
- Implementing a counter-terrorism framework based on four pillars: local-level intelligence gathering, state-level prevention and deterrence, national-level coordination and enforcement, and regional-level collaboration with neighboring countries.
- Prioritizing citizens' safety, with a clear message that there will be severe consequences for killing a Nigerian.
The party concluded with a firm stance: "We will not cuddle terrorists. A terrorist will neither be a son nor a brother. They are the enemy and will be treated as such." This statement underscores the ADC's commitment to a tougher approach compared to what it perceives as the APC's lenient stance.
