The Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday sharply criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s government has failed to fulfil its most basic obligation — the protection of lives and property.
Speaking in Abuja after a meeting of the reinstated NWC, held immediately after a formal handover from the Ambassador Umar Damagum-led committee, PDP National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum (Turaki), said the nation’s worsening security situation proved the government had fallen short of Nigerians’ expectations.
He expressed deep concern over the surge in kidnappings and killings nationwide, stressing that the APC-led Federal Government needed to “brace up” and urgently review the country’s entire security framework.
“We believe that with the spate of kidnappings and killings taking place virtually all over this country, the APC-led Federal Government has not lived up to expectations,” Turaki said.
According to him, state governors being titled as “chief security officers” without any real authority over military and security operations in their states was no longer tenable and must be addressed.
“Nigerians are not safe on the streets, at work, on the farms, in the markets, or even in their homes,” he warned. “A situation where every citizen lives and works in perpetual fear must change.”
The PDP, therefore, urged President Tinubu to initiate comprehensive reforms capable of restoring confidence and ensuring the safety of citizens and their property.
On reports surrounding Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Turaki clarified that the party had not received any official communication regarding claims of his resignation from the PDP. He, however, stressed that Adeleke remained a party member and was expected to participate in the forthcoming governorship primaries unless formally stated otherwise.
“As far as we are concerned, even if what we saw online is true, Governor Adeleke — like any Nigerian — has the constitutional right to freedom of association. He is free to move in or out of any political party,” he said.
The PDP reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy and called for collective efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s stability.
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