The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Bola Tinubu’s decision to cancel his planned trip to South Africa and Angola as “the latest and boldest example of tokenism”.
On Wednesday, Tinubu postponed his planned trips to South Africa and Angola following the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and the attack on worshippers in the Eruku community of Kwara state.
Ini Ememobong, national publicity secretary of the faction, said in a statement on Thursday that the cancellation, which was linked to the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi and worsening insecurity in the north, was “nothing more than a perfunctory gesture”.
Ememobong said the presidency should prove otherwise by relocating Tinubu temporarily to Kebbi and other conflict areas.
Advertisement
He said such a move would energise security agencies and boost the morale of troops confronting armed groups in the region.
“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,” the statement reads.
“He must demonstrate leadership by leading from the front, as true leaders do in moments of grave national challenge.”
Advertisement
The party’s spokesperson said the attack on worshippers in Kwara state further showed how insecurity has become the “daily lived experience” of Nigerians.
He accused the APC-led administration of responding to the crisis with “outright denials, rationalised explanations, empty assurances and other superficial gestures such as the President’s cancelled trip”.
Ememobong said without strategic action, the cancellation of Tinubu’s foreign trips would remain “another media stunt aimed at currying public favour rather than confronting the urgent task of securing lives and property”.
He said the presidency had always shown more urgency in resolving political crises than in confronting insecurity.
Advertisement
He warned that Nigerians are tired of “symbolic gestures such as sympathy statements and trip cancellations”.
“What the nation urgently requires is decisive leadership, strategic action and effective support for security forces,” he said.
“This situation demands seriousness, not symbolism. The presidency must rise to the occasion or make way for those who can.”
On Wednesday, Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia north, said security agencies stopped Tinubu from travelling to Kebbi after the abduction of 25 students.
Advertisement
