The Presidency?s announcement that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled his planned trips to South Africa and Angola has drawn criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party, which described the action as ?the latest and boldest example of tokenism.?

In a statement issued on Thursday, its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the decision, widely perceived as a sign of concern over the recent kidnapping of schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State and escalating insecurity in northern Nigeria, was nothing more than a superficial gesture.

According to the statement, if the All Progressives Congress-led administration believes the cancellation reflects genuine commitment, then the President should go beyond symbolic acts and ?temporarily relocate to Kebbi State and other theatres of armed conflict? to boost troop morale and compel more decisive action from security agencies.

?As President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must not recline in the comfort of the Presidential Villa at a time when 25 schoolgirls have been abducted and their whereabouts remain unknown,? Ememobong said. ?He must demonstrate leadership by leading from the front, as true leaders do in moments of grave national challenge.?

The statement also cited recent attacks in Kwara State as evidence that insecurity has become a ?daily lived experience? for Nigerians nationwide, while accusing the federal government of responding with ?outright denials, rationalised explanations, empty assurances, and other superficial gestures.?

Ememobong argued that the cancelled trip would amount to ?another media stunt? unless followed by concrete action to secure lives and property. He further alleged that the administration displayed greater urgency during the political crisis in Rivers State, suggesting that similar intensity should be applied to tackling insecurity.

?Nigerians are tired of symbolic gestures such as sympathy statements and trip cancellations,? the statement read. ?What the nation urgently requires is decisive leadership, strategic action, and effective support for security forces, especially those at the front lines.?

The opposition warned that the safety of citizens ?cannot be reduced to mere theatrics,? calling on the Presidency to ?rise to the occasion or make way for those who can.?

(THISDAY)

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