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The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 election, Adewole Adebayo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the worsening insecurity in the country, saying the President should resign if he cannot protect Nigerians.
Adebayo spoke on Tuesday shortly after a closed-door meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to him, the visit was aimed at showing solidarity with the government and people of Oyo State following recent security concerns in parts of the state.
He described the situation in Oyo as a reflection of the broader security crisis confronting many parts of the country.
“The reason we came here is to give solidarity to the people and government of Oyo State and to sympathise with affected communities. What Oyo State is going through today is what many states are facing,” he said.
The SDP chieftain accused the Federal Government of failing in its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, alleging that insecurity had spread to regions previously considered relatively safe.
“And that’s because President Bola Tinubu has failed to do his job as Commander-in-Chief. If you cannot secure your state, which is the heart of Yorubaland, what is the use of being in government at all?” Adebayo queried.
He further alleged that security resources were being deployed for political purposes rather than combating insecurity across the country.
“The state government is a victim of the failure of the Federal Government. President Tinubu is sitting on huge security votes which are being used to destabilise political parties instead of supporting the armed forces to secure the country,” he alleged.
Adebayo warned that the growing insecurity should no longer be treated lightly by Nigerians, citing killings and attacks in different parts of the country.
“You cannot run an economy, you cannot provide jobs, yet you cannot secure lives. What then is the essence of government? Nigerians must understand that this is no longer a joke,” he said.
The SDP leader urged Tinubu to either decisively tackle insecurity or resign from office.
“I told President Tinubu sometime last year that he must either use his gun to defeat the terrorists or use his pen to resign. If you cannot do the job, quit. Other people can do it,” he stated.
Expressing concern over attacks on civilians and security personnel, Adebayo lamented what he described as a deteriorating national security environment.
“That teacher who was beheaded did not sign up to be a soldier. Yet we are now in a country where even generals are being killed like chickens,” he said.
He called on the President to prioritise governance over politics and improve the welfare and operational support for members of the armed forces.
“Leave politics aside and focus on your responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief. The Nigerian Armed Forces are capable of defending not just Nigeria but the entire West African sub-region if properly led,” Adebayo added.
