ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) March 17, 2026 —Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Atiku Abubakar, has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for jetting off to England on a state visit in the wake of the deadly terrorist attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State, where suicide bombers killed at least 23 people on Monday.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Atiku expressed deep sorrow over what he described as “the resurfacing of suicide bombing that were hitherto defeated,” warning that the resurgence of terrorism risks eroding public confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of Nigeria’s security forces, Atiku urged the Tinubu-led administration to urgently review its counterterrorism strategies. He noted that Nigerians are weary of repeated condemnations without tangible results.
“The Tinubu government appears to be more obsessed with crushing opposition politicians than it is with fixing the worsening security challenges. And it is obvious that despite the marching orders, the terrorists are still on the offensive.”
Atiku further stressed that terrorism affects all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation: “Terrorists don’t know the difference between APC supporters and opposition sympathisers… A mother in Maiduguri is not asking for press releases. She is asking why her child was blown apart in a place the government claimed was ‘liberated.’”
He criticised the government’s priorities, pointing to the President’s state visit abroad while soldiers face the use of alleged outdated equipment at home to confront terrorists: “Our soldiers are dying with outdated equipment while the President is on a state visit to Britain, while body parts are being gathered in Borno. We urge His Majesty the King to know that his guest left behind fresh graves and weeping widows to come and smile for the cameras.”
Atiku’s statement concluded with a scathing remark: “Bola Tinubu claims he sent ‘marching orders.’ The terrorists sent suicide bombers. Nigerians can see who is winning. You cannot campaign for 2027 on the graves of the people you failed to protect in 2026.”
