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The Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party( SDP) Adewole Adebayo has accused the Federal Government of failing to prioritize national security, saying resources meant to protect Nigerians are being diverted for political ends.
Speaking to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday after a closed-door meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Adebayo said his visit was to show solidarity with Oyo State over recent security concerns.
He argued that the challenges facing Oyo reflect a broader national crisis.
“The reason we came here is to give solidarity to the people and government of Oyo State and to sympathise with the affected communities. What Oyo State is going through today is what many states are going through,” he said.
Adebayo criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of security as commander-in-chief, stating that insecurity had spread to regions once considered relatively safe.
“The state government is a victim of the failure of the federal government. President Bola Tinubu is sitting on top of heavy security votes, which are used to destabilise political parties instead of equipping the armed forces to secure the country,” he alleged.
He warned that the situation had reached a point where Nigerians could no longer treat it casually, citing attacks on civilians and military personnel across several states.
“You cannot run an economy, you cannot provide jobs, yet you cannot secure lives. What is the use? Nigerian people need to understand that it’s no longer a joke,” Adebayo said.
The SDP chieftain called on the President to confront insecurity decisively or hand over to those who can. He also urged improved welfare and operational support for the armed forces.
“Leave politics aside. Focus on your job as Commander-in-Chief. Nigerian armed forces are capable of defending not only Nigeria but the entire West Africa, if only they had a Commander-in-Chief who can lead them properly,” he said.
Adebayo expressed concern over the killing of both civilians and security officers, saying the deteriorating environment was unacceptable for a country with Nigeria’s military capacity.
