Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced plans to form a broad political alliance uniting the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office.
The coalition aims to confront what Atiku described as the “incompetent and inefficient” administration of President Tinubu, citing grave concerns over Nigeria’s deepening security challenges.
Atiku criticized the Tinubu government for lacking the political resolve to address the crisis, recalling his time as Vice President during the emergence of Boko Haram.
Atiku questioned how leaders can remain unmoved while their people are being slaughtered, calling such indifference the peak of irresponsibility for any political leader.
He held the current leadership accountable for the widespread insecurity plaguing the nation, blaming it on a lack of political will.
Atiku shared his experience of dealing with Boko Haram in 2002, advising the president to call the service chiefs and set clear deadlines to quell the insurgency.
He said the president summoned the service chiefs and issued firm orders, and within weeks, the insurgents in Yobe were subdued.
Atiku also noted how he proposed recruiting unemployed graduates into the police force to address the country’s growing security manpower gap.
He said the current administration is under-policed, with many educated young people remaining jobless, making them potential recruits for the police force.
Atiku stressed the importance of a united political front to challenge the current administration, declaring that the coalition has his full understanding and support.
Simon Achuba, former Kogi State Deputy Governor, reiterated Atiku’s concerns, decrying the surge in violence, kidnappings, and destruction of communities across the North.
The federal government has neglected its constitutional duty to safeguard citizens’ lives and property, according to Achuba.