The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has accused President Bola Tinubu’s government of putting political interests ahead of governance. They pointed to worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and efforts to weaken opposition parties as signs of this focus, especially with the 2027 elections approaching.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the caucus, led by Minority Leader Fred Agbedi from Bayelsa State, said Nigeria is facing serious security, economic, and democratic issues that need urgent attention from the federal government.
They expressed worries about the recent killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in captivity. They also mentioned the ongoing detention of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State and the confusing court decisions regarding some political parties.
The opposition lawmakers spent a lot of time discussing the security crisis in Nigeria. They said the murder of Mr. Abubakar shows how bad the security situation has become.
Mr. Abubakar was kidnapped with his wife in Katsina State. Later, news came out that he had died in captivity, while his wife was rescued.
The caucus said this situation raises serious questions about the government's ability to protect citizens, even those who have held important positions in the country.
Mr. Agbedi argued that if a general is not safe in Nigeria, then no one is safe. He reminded everyone about the deaths of active military commanders and senior officers recently during operations against insurgents and bandits. He pointed out that these incidents keep happening despite the government's promises to improve security.
He noted that traditional rulers in many parts of the country have also become targets for kidnappers and armed groups. He highlighted a growing trend of abductions and killings involving community leaders and monarchs.
Agbedi said insecurity is no longer limited to the North-east and North-west. Now, other regions are also experiencing banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks in states that were once considered safe.
He urged the federal government to quickly develop a clear security strategy. He called for better intelligence gathering, troop welfare, and coordination to turn the situation around.
Though he acknowledged some previous military successes against insurgents, he said the current approach lacks focus. This has allowed criminal groups to regain strength and spread.
“Our security is in the mud. Yet, the political class is busy rehearsing new political dance steps, seemingly unbothered,” he stated.
The caucus also highlighted the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. They see this as another sign of the growing threat to education and public safety.
Kidnappings of students have been common in Nigeria’s security crisis over the years, especially after high-profile mass abductions from schools in Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina.
Mr. Agbedi said that the ongoing captivity of these victims shows a dangerous trend where criminal groups target schools and vulnerable communities.
“Can we pause for a moment and imagine the gory conditions of those innocent children and others still in captivity in other parts of the country, in the cold hands of bloodthirsty beasts,” he stressed.
He argued that every day the children stay in captivity is another setback for their education and well-being.
“This is the new normal under this administration: mass abductions without consequences, terrorists dictating terms, and a government that issues statements instead of results,” he added.
He called for an urgent operation to rescue the victims and stop further attacks on schools.
On the political side, the Minority Caucus criticized a recent court ruling that ordered the deregistration of five political parties.
This issue arises from legal battles over whether some registered parties meet the rules to stay registered.
Mr. Agbedi argued that this court ruling contradicts previous appellate decisions and ignores the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) claim that the affected parties have won elections and meet legal requirements.
He warned that this judgement could create uncertainty in the political system and hurt democratic participation.
He suggested that recent developments in party registration and coalitions seem to aim to reduce the political space before the 2027 elections.
“It seems like a deliberate attempt to create chaos in the judicial system to destabilize politics. For us as a Caucus, this is rascality taken too far and a danger to participatory democracy.
“We wonder, for instance, whether it is by mere happenstance that the convener and alter ego of the plaintiffs in this matter is someone holed up in the sanctuary of the presidential villa as an aide to President Tinubu.
“From external manipulations and executive meddling that kept old political structures divided to attempts to block new alliances, the goal seems clear: to push credible opposition out of the race for 2027,” he added.
The opposition leader called on the judiciary to avoid actions that could confuse the electoral process. He also urged INEC to stay neutral.
He appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria to ensure consistent judicial decisions concerning political matters.
Looking beyond security and politics, the caucus painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s economy. They said Nigerians are facing rising costs of living and lower purchasing power.
Since the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, inflation has pushed up the prices of transportation, food, and other essentials.
While the federal government defends these reforms as necessary for long-term stability, critics say many Nigerians still bear the immediate impact.
The opposition lawmakers said citizens are struggling with hardship while politicians seem focused on the 2027 elections.
Mr. Agbedi insisted that governance should be more important than political games. He urged the government to focus on insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and economic problems.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people should be the main goal of government, Agbedi said the federal government is failing in its duties.
The minority caucus called for a major overhaul of the nation’s security system. They want more investment in intelligence gathering and better welfare for security personnel.
They also demanded a full investigation into the abduction and killing of Rabe Abubakar, insisting that Nigerians deserve answers.
The caucus called for immediate efforts to rescue the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. They urged judicial authorities to resolve conflicting rulings on political parties.
They also asked Mr. Tinubu to concentrate on governance and national recovery. They proposed a six-month national security and economic recovery plan to tackle the country’s urgent issues.
The caucus said it will keep using legislative tools available in the House of Representatives to hold the executive accountable and make sure issues affecting citizens are prioritized.
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