Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused President Bola Tinubu of politicizing security issues by appointing relatives to key security roles.
His comments come in light of the recent emergence of a new terrorist group called Lakurawa operating in Northwestern Nigeria.
Atiku asserted that with the ongoing power outages in the North linked to criminal acts, Tinubu should prioritize enhancing security, which he considers essential for attracting investments.
In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expressed his dismay regarding the military’s announcement of the new terror group, calling it “unfortunate.”
He criticized the president for seemingly prioritizing political loyalty over effective governance, stating, “The President has chosen to engage in political maneuvering regarding security by appointing his kinsmen to significant security and economic roles.”
“Atiku emphasized that not only has Tinubu filled critical positions such as finance minister, trade and investment, CBN, customs, and FIRS with his associates, but this level of nepotism surpasses what even President Muhammadu Buhari practiced. Unlike Tinubu, Atiku positions himself as a leader free of bigotry and has not faced allegations of drug trafficking that required him to reimburse funds to the United States.”
He further highlighted Tinubu’s decision to allocate over $13 billion to the contentious Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, which has resulted in the displacement of numerous residents in Lagos to benefit his allies while neglecting other urgent issues needing financial attention.
Atiku urged the president to take action while there’s still time, noting that the Nigerian populace is growing weary of his administration.
