Civil Society Group Accuses ADC of Exploiting Security Crisis
A prominent civil society coalition has strongly criticized the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing the opposition party of leveraging Nigeria's security challenges for political advantage rather than contributing to solutions.
The group, known as Citizens for Secure Nation (CSN), expressed its position during a press conference held in Kaduna on Thursday. Alhaji Musa Danladi Maikawa, the president of CSN, stated that the ADC's recent statements on national insecurity were designed to undermine public confidence in both the government and security agencies.
Evidence-Free Allegations Risk National Security
According to Maikawa, the opposition party crossed a dangerous threshold by making severe allegations without providing any substantiating evidence. He emphasized that security discussions must remain fact-based, particularly as Nigeria confronts serious threats including widespread banditry, kidnapping operations, and attacks on educational institutions.
"We cannot allow a political party to weaponize the pain of grieving families for narrow advantage," Maikawa declared. "Our country is going through a difficult period and what we need is constructive engagement, not reckless commentary that undermines the morale of security personnel risking their lives every day."
The CSN president explained that security agencies are operating under tremendous pressure as they work to stabilize affected regions across the country. He warned that negative political statements could potentially demoralize personnel who face life-threatening situations regularly.
Defending Security Operations and School Closures
Maikawa specifically addressed the ADC's criticism of recent rescue operations, describing such comments as unfair. He insisted that military, police, and intelligence units have significantly intensified their efforts in multiple locations facing security challenges.
The coalition leader also defended the temporary closure of certain schools, characterizing the measure as a necessary safety precaution following thorough risk assessments of vulnerable areas. According to his explanation, both federal and state governments are actively enhancing security around educational facilities to enable safe reopening.
"It is irresponsible to suggest that government is surrendering to terrorists simply because it has taken precautionary action to prevent children from being harmed," Maikawa stated. "Countries across the world shut down facilities when credible threats arise. What matters is that the closures are temporary and that security is being scaled up so teaching can resume."
Call for Responsible Political Discourse
The CSN warned that portraying government or security forces as collaborators with criminal elements creates dangerous narratives that could discourage community cooperation with authorities. Maikawa stressed that none of the allegations made by the ADC had been supported by verifiable proof.
He urged all opposition parties to exercise restraint and prioritize national interests when discussing security matters. Nigeria's ongoing battle against violent groups, he emphasized, requires unity, accurate information, and responsible communication from all stakeholders.
Maikawa confirmed that CSN would continue monitoring statements from political actors and challenge any narratives that generate unnecessary fear or misrepresent ongoing security efforts across the nation.
The development comes as ADC leadership convened a strategic meeting at their new national headquarters in Abuja, where discussions reportedly focused on national insecurity and preparations for the 2027 general elections, signaling the party's positioning as a credible alternative in Nigeria's political landscape.
