Borno South senator, Ali Ndume, has told the President Bola Tinubu to downplay the 2027 presidential election and instead prioritize tackling security challenges in the country.
Ndume made this call in a statement on Tuesday.
His statement comes as explosions rocked certain areas of the Maiduguri metropolis on Monday.
The bombings linked to the terrorist group Boko Haram led to the death of 23 persons.
Reacting, Ndume appealed to Tinubu to play down the politics of 2027 and focus on governance, particularly the security of lives and property and welfare of the citizenry, which he noted is the primary responsibility of government.
He said, “We seem to have abandoned the people for politics. The people that will vote are dying.
“President Tinubu should concentrate on governance. He should address the safety of Nigerians and their welfare first.
“If there is no improvement in their welfare and security, the government becomes their enemy.
“He should walk his talk on this emergency on security. The people should see that he is addressing their welfare.
“We are in a state of emergency, and he should be seen to be addressing the scary security situation convincingly.”
The lawmaker called on security agencies to ramp up their efforts, particularly on investigation and intelligence gathering, to nip in the bud terrorist attacks before they happen.
“Perpetrators of the Maiduguri bombings must be arrested in relation to the explosions. I learned that one of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was detonated from a tricycle. That must have been registered with the relevant authority, and the investigation will expose the owner, and that may help in identifying those behind the explosions.”
The former Senate Leader, who sympathized with the Borno State government, the residents of the Northeast state, and the families of the victims, faulted what he called a mere press statement on the incident from President Tinubu.
“It is not enough to put up a strongly worded press statement. What has happened in Borno and other states in terms of the number of deaths and injuries recorded calls for national mourning.”
“If President Tinubu can’t visit Borno, he should send Vice President Kashim Shettima to really assure Nigerians that he cares about their plights,” he added.
Maiduguri bombings: Downplay re-election bid, focus on security – Ndume tells Tinubu
