The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s response to the nation’s escalating security crisis, dismissing his decision to cancel a foreign trip as “tokenism” and challenging him to temporarily relocate to a conflict zone to demonstrate genuine leadership.
The opposition party’s statement, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, came in response to President Tinubu’s cancellation of his planned visits to South Africa and Angola, a move presumed to be in sympathy with the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the worsening insecurity nationwide.
The PDP characterised the cancellation as “the latest and boldest example of tokenism,” arguing that it remains a “mere perfunctory gesture and nothing more” if not backed by decisive strategic action.
“If the APC-led Presidency disagrees with this position, then we demand that President Tinubu temporarily relocate to Kebbi State and other theatres of armed conflict in Northern Nigeria,” the party stated.
The PDP argued that such a bold move would serve a dual purpose: compelling security agencies to act more decisively and providing a crucial morale boost for troops on the frontlines. The party insisted that the President, as Commander-in-Chief, must not “recline in the comfort of the Presidential Villa” while citizens remain in peril.
“The recent attacks in Kwara State further support our assertion that insecurity and fear have become the daily lived experience and new reality of Nigerians across the country,” the statement read, accusing the ruling party of responding with “outright denials, rationalised explanations, empty assurances, and other superficial gestures.”
The press release drew a sharp contrast with the administration’s approach to political crises, suggesting that if this were a matter of political maneuvering, “President Tinubu would have deployed all strategies and resources, within and outside the law, to find a solution.”
Issuing a final warning, the PDP declared that Nigerians are “tired of symbolic gestures such as sympathy statements and trip cancellations,” demanding instead “decisive leadership, strategic action, and effective support for the security forces.”
“The safety of Nigerians cannot be reduced to mere theatrics. Leadership must rise above optics and deliver tangible, consistent action that restores public confidence and protects lives and property. This situation demands seriousness, not symbolism. The Presidency must rise to the occasion or make way for those who can,” the party concluded.
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