Presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has issued a stark ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding he either decisively confront Nigeria's escalating security challenges or immediately resign from office.
The Resignation Ultimatum
During his address at the 2025 National Electoral Reform Summit on Tuesday, November 11, the Social Democratic Party's 2023 presidential candidate delivered a powerful challenge to the nation's leader. Adebayo declared that President Tinubu must "use bullets to kill the terrorists or use his pen to resign" if he cannot fulfill his fundamental duty of protecting Nigerian citizens.
The Ondo-born politician emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that when citizens are losing their lives in dozens, the government has already failed its primary assignment. He argued that Nigerians should not waste time debating the issue when decisive action is urgently required.
International Reactions and Religious Tensions
The security crisis has attracted international attention, particularly from United States President Donald Trump, who recently threatened military action against Nigeria. Trump's strong stance came in response to the government's alleged failure to protect Christian communities, who constitute nearly half of Nigeria's 231 million population.
President Tinubu's administration has rejected these claims, though the presidency indicated it would welcome US assistance in combating jihadist insurgencies like Boko Haram. However, security analysts have noted that while Christians have been targeted in some attacks, there's no evidence of a systematic campaign to exterminate them.
Adebayo cautioned his compatriots against fueling religious divisions while backing President Trump's concerns about the ongoing killings in Nigeria.
Underlying Security Challenges
Nigeria continues to face multiple security threats in 2025, including a surge in sectarian violence driven by intensifying competition for land and resources between farmers and herders. The situation remains critical despite government efforts to address the challenges.
Former Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna state has identified corruption as a fundamental reason for Nigeria's prolonged battle with banditry and terrorism. He noted that terrorists appear hesitant to attack targets in neighboring countries like Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, while showing no such restraint in Nigeria.
According to the APC chieftain, Nigeria's defense and security apparatuses have historically not dedicated themselves fully to public service, contributing to the persistence of security challenges.
As President Tinubu is widely tipped to emerge as the ruling All Progressives Congress flagbearer for the 2027 election, the pressure to resolve the nation's security crisis continues to mount, with Adebayo's ultimatum representing growing public frustration with the ongoing violence.
