The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the APC-led federal government of failing in its fundamental duty to protect Nigerians, urging President Bola Tinubu to either seek assistance or step down amid a surge in school kidnappings across the country.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong said the recent abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger States highlighted the administration’s inability to manage the worsening security situation, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Ememobong criticized the government’s contemplation of closing schools in affected areas, describing it as a “complete surrender” to terrorists whose aim is to shut down schools and deny children access to education.
“We warn that this closure, if undertaken like many of this administration’s quick-fix approaches to serious governance issues, will amount to a total surrender to terrorists,” he said.
The PDP spokesperson described the federal government’s response to repeated kidnappings in less than a week as slow, politically motivated, and lacking empathy. He faulted President Tinubu for delegating the response to the Minister of State for Defence instead of visiting the affected communities personally.
“Instead of the President visiting Kebbi and Niger States to sympathize with parents and address security personnel on the ground, he merely directed the Minister of State for Defence to relocate to Kebbi,” Ememobong said.
The party warned that school closures would further deepen the educational deficit in the North, home to the majority of Nigeria’s 18.3 million out-of-school children, according to UNICEF. They called for full funding and implementation of the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, emphasizing community intelligence and rapid response mechanisms.
“Insecurity in schools is a major disincentive to education, especially in Northern Nigeria,” Ememobong noted, stressing that prolonged shutdowns would exacerbate educational inequality and harm Nigeria’s global academic standing.
He also urged stronger collaboration between citizens and security agencies, warning that the breakdown of trusted community-level intelligence has left many communities exposed.
On the question of international assistance, the PDP stressed that the decision rests with the government but insisted that the President must acknowledge if he is overwhelmed.
“If the government feels overwhelmed, let them say so. International partners can assist. But failing to invite them risks becoming a meddlesome interloper,” Ememobong said.
He concluded with a direct message to the President: “Any government unwilling, unable, or incapable of performing this primary role must either ask for help—locally or internationally—or honourably resign if it is sincere and responsible.”
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