ADC Condemns Tinubu Government Over Escalating Terrorist Violence in Nigeria
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, accusing it of poor management and inadequate response to the growing terrorism crisis across Nigeria. This condemnation comes as President Tinubu is engaged in official duties in the United Kingdom, highlighting a perceived disconnect between leadership actions and domestic security emergencies.
Rising Terror Attacks: Data Points to Alarming Trends
ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi referenced recent security statistics to underscore the severity of the situation. According to the Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria experienced a significant 43 percent surge in terrorist incidents, escalating from 120 attacks in 2024 to 171 in 2025. This sharp increase underscores a deepening security challenge that demands urgent governmental attention.
Borno State remains the epicenter of this violence, accounting for a staggering 67 percent of all attacks and 72 percent of terrorism-related fatalities nationwide. The human cost is devastating, with civilians bearing the brunt of the brutality—comprising approximately 67 percent of deaths—while security personnel represent about 19 percent of casualties. These figures paint a grim picture of a security landscape in crisis.
Contrasts in Leadership and Calls for Empathy
Critics within the ADC and broader political circles have drawn unfavorable comparisons between the Nigerian government's response and that of other nations. They pointed to former U.S. President Donald Trump's personal reception of fallen American soldiers' remains during a conflict with Iran as an example of visible leadership and empathy. In contrast, recent deadly attacks in Borno State, which claimed numerous lives, have not been met with similar public demonstrations of solidarity or compassion from Nigeria's top officials, fueling perceptions of governmental indifference.
ADC's Three-Point Security Overhaul Strategy
In response to these challenges, the African Democratic Congress has articulated a comprehensive three-point plan designed to fundamentally restructure Nigeria's security architecture and restore public trust.
- Enhanced Intelligence Coordination: The party advocates for the establishment of a legally mandated national intelligence coordination system, spearheaded by a Coordinator of National Intelligence. This initiative aims to address current shortcomings in inter-agency collaboration, which often result in missed warnings and sluggish responses. A unified Joint Terrorism Task Force would complement this effort, ensuring seamless information sharing and operational synergy.
- Decentralized Policing Framework: Recognizing that security cannot be effectively managed solely from the federal capital, Abuja, the ADC proposes a multi-layered policing model. This structure would incorporate federal, state, and community-based units, each with clearly defined responsibilities and adherence to national standards. The goal is to improve response times, enhance local accountability, and tailor security measures to regional specifics.
- Shift to Preventive Security Measures: Moving away from reactive approaches, the ADC emphasizes the need for an intelligence-driven system focused on prevention. This would involve deploying data analytics, early warning mechanisms, and rapid-response units across all states to identify and neutralize threats before they materialize into attacks, thereby reducing casualties and instability.
The ADC asserts that this holistic strategy is essential for strengthening national security, protecting civilians, and rebuilding confidence in governmental institutions amid escalating terrorist activities.
