The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu for being outside the country following the bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno state.
On Monday, 23 people were killed, with 108 injured,
following bomb blasts in three locations in Maiduguri at about 7:24 pm.
The bombs went off at a market, the gate of the University
of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover.
Tinubu, who departed Abuja on Tuesday, is currently on a
state visit to the United Kingdom (UK).
‘PRESIDENT SHOULD RETURN HOME’
In a statement on Tuesday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national
publicity secretary of the party, condemned the attack and expressed sympathy
with the victims and their families.
“Terrorism anywhere in Nigeria is an attack on all
Nigerians. At moments like this, the country must stand together with the
people who have been affected,” the statement reads.
The ADC said the attack raises questions about the state of
security in the country.
“Maiduguri, which in recent years had begun to experience a
measure of stability after the darkest days of the insurgency, should not be
returning to a situation where coordinated bomb attacks once again threaten the
safety of ordinary citizens going about their daily lives,” Abdullahi said.
“Moments like this demand the full and undivided attention
of the nation’s leadership.
“It is therefore troubling that the President is currently
outside the country at a time when such a serious attack on national security
occurred.
“At a time when Nigerian soldiers and civilians are being
wilfully killed by terrorists, those charged with protecting the country are
focused on politics of self-succession.
“The National Security Adviser is going after opposition
figures and calling bandits his ‘brothers’, while the Minister of Defence is on
television planning the APC national convention.
“This is not leadership. It is a dangerous distraction, and
it is costing lives.”
The ADC said the protection of lives remains the primary
responsibility of the government and called on Tinubu to return to the country.
“The oath of office is clear; the primary duty of government
is the protection of lives. That duty is certainly not being met by this APC
government,” Abdullahi added.
“The ADC therefore calls on President Tinubu to return
immediately to the country and show, for once, that he cares about something
else other than his politics.
“We also think it is about time that government started to
take full responsibilities for every life lost that could have been protected
by paying compensation to the families of victims, whether military or
civilians.
“Although no amount of money can fully compensate for a lost
life, but by penalising itself this way, government would have started to
accept responsibility.
“It is no longer enough for government to merely issue
condolences and condemnations. It is its first job to protect lives.”
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