The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his declaration that he is prepared to “fight to the finish” politically, saying he should focus on defeating terrorists rather than the opposition.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it was disturbing that the President made the remarks during a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) while the country continues to grapple with worsening insecurity, including the recent attack on Naridon village in Kaduna State that claimed at least 30 lives.

Describing Tinubu as Nigeria’s “Statement Maker-in-Chief,” the ADC argued that the President has become “a commentator” on insecurity but “a combatant” against the opposition, accusing his administration of responding to attacks with condemnations rather than decisive action.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is deeply concerned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose his meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to declare that he was prepared to “fight to the finish” politically, even as Nigerians continue to live under the shadow of terrorism, banditry and violent crime.”

“This is our message: Mr President, the fight Nigerians elected you to lead is not against the opposition. It is against the terrorists, kidnappers and armed criminals who continue to kill innocent citizens and destabilise communities across the country.

“Only hours before the President’s remarks, at least 30 people were killed in a late-night attack on Naridon village in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Homes were burnt. Families were displaced. Another community was left devastated by an attack that should never have happened.

“Yet, the President, whose primary duty is to protect and preserve Nigerian lives has chosen instead to serve as Nigeria’s Statement Maker-in-Chief. After every attack comes another statement. After every massacre comes another condemnation. After every tragedy comes another expression of sympathy. Nigerians did not elect a Commander-in-Chief to become the nation’s chief issuer of condolence statements.

“What is equally disturbing is that when it comes to insecurity, President Tinubu is a commentator. However, when it comes to the opposition, he is a combatant. Mr President should reserve decisive words and actions like “fight to the finish” to defeat the terrorists, bandits and kidnappers who continue to shed innocent Nigerian blood, not the opposition who want to save Nigerians from his misrule and failure.

“Instead of preparing for another political fight, President Tinubu should be leading the fight against those who have turned communities across the country into killing fields and forced countless Nigerians from their homes. That is the battle the country expects him to win.

“After more than three years in office, this administration cannot point to a security record that justifies political bravado. Given its catastrophic failure to secure lives and property, one would have expected the President to be reflecting on his record, not digging in politically.

“The ADC believes elections are won by performance, not by declarations of political toughness. The President’s real opponents are not the opposition. They are terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and the growing insecurity that continues to claim innocent Nigerian lives. Those are the enemies he was elected to fight, and as things stand today, they remain undefeated.” (Daily Trust)

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