PDP: Insecurity managed for 16 years, APC allowed Boko Haram to spread
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that it effectively addressed insecurity during its 16 years in power, sharply criticizing the current All Progressives Congress (APC) administration for allowing the situation to worsen dramatically across Nigeria.
This statement comes in response to recent comments made by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who acknowledged that Boko Haram informants have infiltrated both political and military circles. In an exclusive interview with Vanguard, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba condemned the federal government’s approach to security under the APC.
“We must remind Nigerians that during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan, strategic actions were implemented to contain Boko Haram, including collaborating with international security experts,” Ologunagba stated.
He pointed out that significant advancements were made, confining the insurgency largely to the North-East, whereas the current APC administration has permitted insecurity to escalate, affecting nearly every region of Nigeria.
“This government has failed in its primary duty, which is the security and welfare of the people, as outlined in Section 14, Subsection 2(b) of the Constitution,” he asserted, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Ologunagba highlighted the worrying implications of Zulum’s recent call for President Tinubu to rely on military professionals rather than political loyalty, noting, “If Governor Zulum, a member of the APC, is urging the President to listen to military experts instead of political sycophants, that speaks volumes.”
He further addressed the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the ongoing insecurity, particularly in the Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, where more than 20,000 residents have been displaced into refugee camps. Ologunagba warned that these camps could become breeding grounds for recruitment by terrorist factions.
“The Governor reported that the entire Marte Local Government has been deserted, and he’s rightly concerned about the possibility of terrorists exploiting those conditions for recruitment,” he said.
Accusing the APC of negligence, Ologunagba referenced claims that insurgents and bandits were imported from neighboring countries during the 2015 elections, which he asserted were confirmed by a senior member of the APC.
“By the APC’s own admission in 2014, insurgents and bandits were imported from neighboring countries to influence the 2015 elections. These are not just political statements; they are facts based on their own records,” he declared.
He further linked the country’s economic downturn to the government’s failure to ensure security and stability, citing the withdrawal of major multinational companies from Nigeria. “Major corporations like Procter & Gamble and Unilever are pulling out of Nigeria, and many others are following suit. That’s the economic reality we’re facing,” Ologunagba explained.
Looking ahead to the upcoming 2027 elections, he stated that the PDP’s critique of the APC encompasses more than just security concerns; it extends to governance and the erosion of public trust. Ologunagba acknowledged the mounting political discontent, particularly the emergence of an anti-Tinubu coalition, asserting that it reflects a collective desire for change among Nigerians.
“When people mention an anti-Tinubu coalition, they often reduce it to an individual. But this goes beyond one man. It’s about Nigerians collectively rejecting a government that has failed them,” he emphasized.
Ologunagba concluded by insisting on the need for collaborative efforts among opposition parties to dismantle what he called the APC’s “cancerous leadership” and restore effective governance in Nigeria. He expressed confidence in the PDP’s potential to reorganize and offer credible leadership, inviting Nigerians to support efforts aimed at rekindling the nation’s “golden years of development and democracy.”
Source: Vanguard newspaper
