The African Action Congress (AAC) has launched a scathing attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing it of failing in its primary responsibility to protect lives and property while prioritising fresh borrowing that could deepen Nigeria’s already fragile economic situation.
In a strongly worded press statement issued on April 2, 2026, the opposition party condemned the reported approval of a $6 billion loan by the National Assembly, describing the move as both “reckless” and “deeply insensitive” to the realities facing millions of Nigerians grappling with insecurity across the country.
The party’s criticism comes at a time when concerns over safety have intensified nationwide, with repeated reports of attacks by bandits, insurgents, and criminal groups leaving communities displaced, families grieving, and entire regions living under constant fear. According to the AAC, the worsening situation has effectively turned parts of Nigeria into what it described as “killing fields,” where the sanctity of human life appears increasingly diminished.
Rather than demonstrate urgency in addressing the crisis, the AAC argued that the Tinubu administration has chosen to focus on securing loans, raising questions about its priorities and commitment to governance. The party expressed concern that such borrowing, especially in the absence of clear accountability structures or measurable improvements in security, reflects a pattern of governance detached from the immediate needs of the people.
In its statement, the AAC warned that continued accumulation of debt without corresponding development outcomes or tangible benefits for citizens could further strain the country’s economic stability. It maintained that a government unable to guarantee basic security has little justification to continue expanding the nation’s debt profile, particularly at a time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship and declining living standards.
The party did not mince words in describing the situation as one of “irresponsibility and impunity on a catastrophic scale,” arguing that governance must be anchored on accountability, transparency, and the protection of citizens. It stressed that any administration that fails to secure the lives of its people risks losing its moral and political legitimacy.
Beyond its criticism of the government, the AAC also issued a direct call to citizens, urging Nigerians not to remain passive in the face of what it described as systemic failure. The party encouraged collective action and civic engagement as necessary tools for driving meaningful change, insisting that the current trajectory of governance must be challenged.
It called on Nigerians to organise and demand a system that prioritises their safety, welfare, and dignity, warning that continued tolerance of what it termed “government impunity” could further erode democratic values and public trust in institutions.
The statement, signed by the AAC’s National Publicity Secretary, Rex I. Elanu, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to what it described as the ongoing struggle for a just, secure, and truly democratic Nigeria.
While the federal government has yet to respond to the AAC’s claims, the development adds to a growing chorus of criticism from opposition groups and civil society organisations, many of whom have continued to question the government’s handling of security and economic management.
As Nigeria navigates a complex mix of security challenges and economic pressures, the debate over borrowing, governance priorities, and accountability is likely to remain a central issue in the nation’s political discourse in the months ahead.
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