Ndume Urges Tinubu to Prioritize Security Over 2027 Politics After Maiduguri Bombings
Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has issued a strong appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to shift focus from political maneuvers ahead of the 2027 elections and instead concentrate on the escalating security crisis in Nigeria. This call comes in the wake of devastating explosions that rocked parts of Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday, resulting in multiple casualties and widespread injuries.
Deadly Explosions Strike Key Locations in Maiduguri
The coordinated bombings, which are believed to have been executed by insurgents affiliated with Boko Haram, occurred almost simultaneously at three critical locations within the metropolis. The attacks targeted the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), the bustling Monday Market Roundabout, and the Post Office area. Preliminary reports indicate that at least five individuals lost their lives, while numerous others sustained injuries of varying severity.
These incidents are part of a disturbing pattern of renewed insurgent activities in the North-East region. Recent weeks have seen terrorists launch assaults on military formations in Ajari, Baga, and Damboa. Additionally, just a week prior, fighters from Boko Haram, in collaboration with the Islamic State West Africa Province, carried out a coordinated attack on the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area. That assault resulted in the deaths of soldiers, the village head, several community elders, and a woman, highlighting the persistent and grave threat.
Ndume Decries Disconnect Between Governance and Security Realities
In a statement released yesterday, Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, expressed deep concern over what he described as a growing disconnect between governance and the harsh security realities facing Nigerians, particularly those in the North-East. "We seem to have abandoned the people for politics. The people that will vote are dying," he lamented, emphasizing the urgent need for action.
The lawmaker called on the Tinubu administration to significantly scale down political activities in preparation for the 2027 elections and to refocus on its fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property, as well as improving the welfare of citizens. "President Tinubu should concentrate on governance. He should address the safety of Nigerians and their welfare first. If there is no improvement in their welfare and security, the government becomes their enemy," Ndume added, underscoring the critical link between security and public trust.
Call for Decisive Action and National Mourning
Ndume stressed that the current security situation demands visible and decisive action, noting that the government must move beyond mere declarations to demonstrate a genuine commitment to tackling insecurity. "We are in a state of emergency and he should be seen to be addressing the scary security situation convincingly. A lot of people are still missing from the Ngoshe massacre," he stated, pointing to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
He also charged security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and investigations to prevent future attacks, insisting that the perpetrators of the Maiduguri bombings must be tracked and brought to justice. "I learnt that one of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was detonated from a tricycle. That must have been registered with the relevant authority. Proper investigation will expose the owner and may help identify those behind the explosions," Ndume suggested, highlighting a potential lead in the investigation.
While expressing sympathy with the Borno State Government, residents, and families of the victims, the former Senate Leader criticized what he described as an inadequate federal response to the tragedy. "It is not enough to issue strongly worded press statements. Considering the number of deaths and injuries recorded in Borno and other states, this calls for national mourning," Ndume asserted, calling for a more profound acknowledgment of the loss.
Proposal for High-Level Government Visit
Ndume further proposed that if President Tinubu is unable to visit Borno State personally, Vice President Kashim Shettima should be mandated to do so. Such a visit, he argued, would reassure affected communities of the government's concern over their plight and demonstrate a tangible commitment to addressing the crisis.
The latest attacks have once again underscored the fragile security situation in the North-East, raising serious concerns over the resurgence of insurgent activities in the region. As the nation grapples with these challenges, Ndume's call for a renewed focus on security and governance over political calculations resonates as a critical imperative for the Tinubu administration.
