Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has blamed insecurity in the country on the failure of President Bola Tinubu administration to implement annual budgets passed by the National Assembly.
Atiku in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, also said the position of Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno on non-budget implementation by the executive, has vindicated opposition political parties.
Senator Monguno, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), recently castigated the executive for failing to implement yearly budgets passed by the National Assembly.
Atiku who is the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 presidential election, noted that Senator Monguno who is a member of President Tinubu’s party, questioned why security agencies have reportedly not received capital releases despite the worsening security crisis confronting the nation.
“These are not allegations from the opposition. They are grave constitutional questions raised by a distinguished senator of the ruling party,” he said.
The former Vice President stated that if security agencies were denied the funds appropriated by law to procure equipment, strengthen intelligence, improve logistics and support operations, government cannot escape responsibility for the consequences.
“Every massacre should compel Nigerians to ask one simple question: were our security agencies given the resources approved by law to prevent it?
“How do you expect our gallant security personnel to defeat terrorists, bandits and kidnappers when those responsible for equipping them are allegedly withholding the very funds appropriated for that purpose?” he asked.
Atiku alleged that since Tinubu assumed office in 2023, over 17,000 Nigerians have lost their lives in violent attacks, while thousands more have been abducted by terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
“These are not mere statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, farmers, students and breadwinners whose lives have been cut short. Behind every number is a family condemned to a lifetime of grief,” he stated.
The ADC candidate described as ironic that President Tinubu, who criticised former President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity, now presides over an even more troubling security situation.
“As an opposition leader, President Tinubu repeatedly declared that the first responsibility of any government was the protection of lives and property. He spared no criticism of the Jonathan administration whenever terrorists struck.
“Today, Nigerians are asking him to meet the same standard he demanded of others.
“Sadly, what they have witnessed instead is what many now describe as a ‘sidon look’ presidency – one that appears content to issue condolences after every massacre instead of preventing the next one,” Atiku said.
The former vice president promised that an ADC government under his leadership would reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
“We will ensure that every naira appropriated for national security is released promptly and accounted for.
“We will restore intelligence-led policing, deploy modern surveillance technology, strengthen border security, improve inter-agency coordination, fully equip and motivate our security personnel, and establish an effective community-based early warning system to stop attacks before they happen.
“We will also confront the economic drivers of insecurity by creating jobs, reviving agriculture and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians, while maintaining zero tolerance for terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and those who finance them,” he added.