Nigeria’s security challenges have come under scrutiny from Datti Baba-Ahmed, a former Labour Party vice presidential candidate, who alleges that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) prioritizes political gains over tackling the country’s worsening security situation. In a recent interview on Channels Television, Baba-Ahmed stated that the government is more focused on attracting political defectors to the APC than on protecting its citizens.
According to Baba-Ahmed, the APC’s strategy of recruiting politicians from other parties creates a false impression of success. “They are buying politicians who are jumping ship to join APC and giving themselves the false impression that they are doing well,” he said. The former vice presidential candidate warned that Nigeria’s security situation is deteriorating rapidly, with the insecurity drawing closer to the capital city, Abuja.
Baba-Ahmed also criticized the federal leadership for being detached from the realities on the ground. He expressed concern that the president and vice president are not adequately addressing the security challenges facing the country. “So long as the president is aloof with the realities on the ground and has a vice president who has been reduced to just going for wedding ceremonies, burial ceremonies in the situation that Nigeria is,” he said.
The former Labour Party vice presidential candidate noted that it is easier for the federal government to send the vice president to attend social events than to respond to security incidents in villages. “It is easier for the federal government of Nigeria now to send a whole vice president to go for condolence visits and wedding ceremonies than when 200 people are killed in the villages in Katsina,” Baba-Ahmed said.
Nigeria has been grappling with security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, which have resulted in the loss of lives and displacement of people. The country’s security situation has been a major concern for citizens and the international community. As the security challenges persist, the government faces increasing pressure to develop effective strategies to address the situation and ensure the safety of its citizens. The federal government’s response to the security challenges will be crucial in determining the country’s stability and progress.