PDP Accuses Tinubu Administration of Failing to Secure Nigerians

The Peoples Democratic Party intensified its criticism of the Federal Government on Tuesday, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of failing to provide even the most basic sense of safety for citizens across the country. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, PDP National Chairman Kabiru Turaki said the increasing wave of kidnappings, killings, and violent attacks showed that Nigerians were exposed to danger in their homes, workplaces, and public spaces.

The briefing was held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, where the Turaki-led National Working Committee has been operating since November, following the police takeover of the PDP national secretariat during a protracted power tussle between rival factions.

Addressing journalists, Turaki said the government’s security policies were not delivering results and called for a comprehensive overhaul. “We believe the situation in this country is such that Nigerians are not safe on the streets. Nigerians are not safe in their places of work, whether offices, farms, or markets. Nigerians are also not safe in their homes. The situation where every citizen lives in perpetual fear, walks in perpetual fear, and conducts business in perpetual fear is something that must change,” he said.

Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, said the Federal Government had failed to meet the expectations placed on an elected administration. He noted that the spike in nationwide attacks showed that the APC-led government had “not lived up to the expectations of Nigerians.” He urged the government to “brace up” and urgently review Nigeria’s security architecture. He added that a system where governors serve as chief security officers without control over military or security operations was inadequate and must be revisited.

On internal party activities, Turaki said the NWC was satisfied with preparations for the Osun State governorship election. He confirmed that the committee had reviewed and approved the congresses held to select ad hoc delegates and evaluated the ongoing primary. “Everything is being conducted in an orderly, transparent, fair, and rancour-free manner. That is vintage PDP,” he said.

The chairman also addressed ongoing litigation involving the party. He said the NWC had examined cases filed against the PDP and those initiated by the party, including suits over the closure of the Legacy House and Wadata Plaza secretariats. According to Turaki, the party’s legal team had assured the NWC that the PDP was on solid ground and that the law would soon take its course.

He said the new leadership had begun scrutinising handover notes from the previous executives to ensure a smooth operational transition. “We will be painstaking in our consideration of those notes to ensure there is no gap whatsoever in continuing the good work of the outgoing National Working Committee,” he said.

Turaki also confirmed that the PDP had issued certificates of expulsion to 11 members removed by the national convention in Ibadan, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose. He said the certificates had been dispatched via courier and urged INEC, the police, and other security agencies to take note that the affected individuals were no longer party members. He added that Nigerian law does not permit dual party membership, and the convention’s decision was final.

On the status of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Turaki noted that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to freedom of association. He said Adeleke was free to move to another political party if he chose to do so.

Turaki concluded by noting that former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, recently nominated as ambassador designates, had yet to officially notify the party of their nominations.