By Jane Okafor, Abuja
Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has urged the Federal Government to place national security above political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the recent explosions in Maiduguri.
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday. He stressed that safeguarding lives and property remains the foremost duty of any government.
He called on the administration of Bola Tinubu to refocus on governance, particularly the safety and welfare of citizens, amid worsening insecurity in the North-East and other parts of the country.
“The people that will vote are dying,” Ndume said, voicing deep concern over persistent attacks by insurgents and bandits.
The lawmaker urged the President to move beyond statements and take firm, decisive steps to tackle the country’s security challenges.
“A lot of people are still missing from the Ngoshe massacre. Those behind the Maiduguri bombings must be brought to justice,” he added, while calling for strengthened intelligence gathering and proactive security operations to prevent further attacks.
Ndume also extended sympathy to the Borno State Government, residents of Maiduguri, and families affected by the explosions.
He criticised what he described as a muted response from the Presidency, insisting that stronger and more visible leadership is needed at a critical time.
“If President Tinubu cannot visit Borno, he should deploy Vice President Kashim Shettima to reassure Nigerians that the government stands with them,” he said.
The Maiduguri explosions have reignited fears of escalating insecurity in the North-East, with growing calls for urgent and coordinated action to stem the tide.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Monday multiple attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State, as the desperate acts of evil-minded terrorist groups, vowing that the nation’s gallant military and civilian task forces will curtail and put them down.
Tinubu commiserated with the Borno people over the terror strikes, saying it was profoundly upsetting, even as he mourned those who lost their lives, sympathised with the injured and stands in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time.
“I want to make it categorically clear that these acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instil and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces and security agencies operating in various theatres.
“We will continue to intensify our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be.
“I must commend the courage and fighting spirit of our patriotic troops who successfully repelled the coordinated attacks by these terrorists on military positions in the state,” the President said in a statement he personally signed.
According to the President, just last weekend, during a security meeting with leaders of security and intelligence agencies, he approved additional equipment and operational support to enhance their capabilities.
He assured that the country would not succumb to fear, stressing that he had directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation while the emergency agencies were directed to provide proper care for the injured.
“There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them. Nigeria will not succumb to fear, ” he said.
