The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his recent declaration that he was ready to “fight to the finish” politically, urging him to channel the same determination towards tackling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said Nigerians expect the President to focus on ending insecurity rather than engaging in political battles with the opposition.
The ADC described the timing of Tinubu’s remarks as unfortunate, noting that they came during a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Presidential Villa, just hours after gunmen reportedly killed at least 30 people in Naridon village, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“Mr President, the fight Nigerians elected you to lead is not against the opposition. It is against the terrorists, kidnappers and armed criminals who continue to kill innocent citizens and destabilise communities across the country,” the party said.
The opposition argued that recurring attacks across the country require stronger action from the Federal Government instead of repeated statements of sympathy.
According to Abdullahi, communities continue to suffer devastating attacks while many Nigerians are left grieving.
“After every attack comes another statement. After every massacre comes another condemnation. After every tragedy comes another expression of sympathy,” he said.
The ADC further accused the President of appearing more determined to confront political opponents than criminal groups threatening national security.
“When it comes to insecurity, President Tinubu is a commentator. However, when it comes to the opposition, he is a combatant,” Abdullahi stated.
The party urged Tinubu to reserve his “fight to the finish” approach for terrorists, bandits and kidnappers rather than opposition parties.
“Mr President should reserve decisive words and actions like ‘fight to the finish’ to defeat the terrorists, bandits and kidnappers who continue to shed innocent Nigerian blood, not the opposition,” the statement added.
ADC maintained that more than three years into Tinubu’s administration, insecurity remains one of the country’s biggest challenges and urged the President to prioritise protecting lives and reclaiming communities overrun by criminal groups.
The party also insisted that elections are won through good governance and performance, not political rhetoric.
