Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to take immediate and decisive action against the escalating security crisis in Nigeria or step down from office to allow more competent leadership to take charge.
Adebayo challenges Tinubu over worsening insecurity
Addressing attendees at the 2025 National Electoral Reform Summit on Tuesday, Adebayo described the current security situation as “unacceptable” and emphasised that the government must either employ force to neutralise terrorists or resign to avoid further loss of life. He said, “Use bullets to kill the terrorists or use the pen to resign,” highlighting the urgent need for leadership accountability amid the rising insecurity across the country.
He further stressed that democratic governance must prioritize the welfare and safety of the people, adding, “Democracy must be clean, fair, and predictable. Leaders must govern according to the wishes of the people, or they will lose the next election.” Adebayo’s statement underscores growing frustration with the administration’s handling of banditry, kidnappings, and insurgency activities across Nigeria.
References US President Trump’s remarks on attacks in Nigeria
In his address, Adebayo also touched on international perspectives, particularly recent comments made by former US President Donald Trump concerning attacks on Christians in Nigeria. He cautioned against turning foreign attention into a religiously divisive debate, stating, “I thank Mr. Trump for showing interest in Nigeria at all. But we must not turn his interest into a Christian-Muslim debate. Anyone who wants to help must help every Nigerian. Trump cannot resolve our problems in the short term; local leadership is key.”
Adebayo emphasised that solutions must come from within Nigeria and that local authorities must take full responsibility for protecting citizens, rather than allowing political debates or external pressures to distract from urgent security measures. He added that while foreign assistance may be welcomed, the nation’s armed forces remain central to any effective intervention against armed groups, insurgents, and bandits.
Military capacity highlighted as a solution
Highlighting the capabilities of Nigeria’s security forces, Adebayo stated, “The Nigerian armed forces, the way I know them, can protect the whole of West Africa if you let them do it. But they cannot protect their own barracks if you say they should not do it.” His comments point to bureaucratic or political limitations hampering the effectiveness of security agencies, calling for reforms and empowerment of the military to ensure national safety.
Calls for leadership accountability amid continued security failures
Adebayo’s intervention comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face a multitude of security challenges, including banditry, herder-farmer clashes, terrorist attacks, and kidnappings for ransom. While the presidency rejected Trump’s claims that attacks were targeting Christians specifically, it acknowledged the critical need for international support in combating Boko Haram and other jihadist insurgents.
Adebayo concluded by insisting that if the current administration cannot ensure the protection of its citizens effectively, it is imperative for the leadership to step aside and allow competent individuals or systems to take the reins. “Lives are being lost daily. We cannot continue debating security failures while Nigerians die,” he warned, calling for urgent reforms and decisive action to restore safety and trust in governance.