The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu's administration, accusing it of effectively surrendering to terrorists. This accusation follows the government's decision to close schools in parts of Northern Nigeria in response to a devastating new wave of mass kidnappings.
A Trail of Sorrow and Failed Leadership
At a media briefing held by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the main opposition party highlighted two recent incidents that have shocked the nation. The party pointed to the abduction of 25 students in Kebbi State and the even larger-scale kidnapping of 315 students and staff in Niger State as clear evidence of the escalating insecurity ravaging the country under the APC-led Federal Government.
The PDP stated that each kidnapping incident leaves behind a devastating trail of sorrow, tears, blood, fear, and deep anguish for the affected families and communities. Despite this, the party contends that the Federal Government has consistently failed to provide a coherent direction or take decisive action to curb the menace. The opposition also condemned what it described as a fragmented and uncoordinated response from various state governments, a situation it blames on the absence of strong and decisive leadership from the centre.
School Closures: A Victory for Terrorists
A central point of the PDP's criticism is the government's move to shut down schools in areas deemed vulnerable to attacks. This measure, already being implemented by some states and reportedly under consideration at the federal level, was strongly faulted by the party.
The PDP argued that closing schools amounts to a complete surrender to terrorists, whose fundamental aim includes shutting down educational institutions and preventing children, especially in the North, from obtaining a formal education. The party's statement included a stark warning: If the schools are closed, the goal of the terrorists would have been inadvertently achieved.
Citing alarming data from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the PDP noted that Northern Nigeria already bears the heaviest burden of the country's out-of-school children crisis. With 18.3 million children out of school nationally—10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the secondary level—further school shutdowns would catastrophically worsen an already dire situation, discouraging education and deepening cycles of poverty and instability.
Call for Action and Scathing Rebuke of Presidential Response
Instead of what it termed simplistic, quick-fix approaches, the PDP urged the Federal Government to immediately adopt and fund a comprehensive, intelligence-driven security plan. The party specifically called for the implementation of the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools, which focuses on leveraging community intelligence and establishing rapid security response mechanisms.
The opposition party also delivered a sharp rebuke of President Tinubu's personal response to the crises, describing it as lacklustre and unempathetic. The PDP highlighted that instead of visiting the affected communities in Kebbi and Niger states to commiserate with grieving families and assess the situation firsthand, the President merely directed the Minister of State for Defence to relocate to Kebbi.
The statement drew a sharp contrast, claiming, A juxtaposition of the large contingents sent to the United States Congress and the G-20 meeting with the lone envoy dispatched to handle this crisis exposes the levity with which the presidency treats this matter. This posture was labelled as insensitive and dismissive of the gravity of the security problem.
Reiterating that the protection of lives and property is the foremost duty of any government, the PDP concluded that any administration unwilling or unable to fulfil this sacred responsibility must either ask for help or honourably resign, if it is sincere and responsible.
