Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar claims that the failure to release allocated security funds is the primary driver behind the deaths of more than 17,000 Nigerians since President Bola Tinubu took office. He pointed to recent statements from Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, an APC member, as validation of opposition warnings regarding government fiscal practices.
Phrank Shaibu, representing Atiku, stated that Senator Monguno’s inquiries highlight the impact of poor financial management on national security. Independent conflict monitoring groups report that at least 17,000 people have been killed, with many others kidnapped by criminal factions during the current administration.
Atiku emphasized that these figures represent individual human lives and grieving families, rather than just abstract data. He noted that while the APC previously dismissed opposition critiques as political posturing, a senior member of the ruling party is now questioning why security agencies are not receiving their legal capital allocations. He argued that the government is failing its duty by not providing necessary equipment and intelligence support to security forces.
Furthermore, Atiku contrasted President Tinubu’s current response to violence with his past criticisms of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He described the current administration as passive, noting that issuing condolences is not a substitute for proactive security measures. Atiku pledged that, under his leadership, an administration would prioritize the immediate release of security funding, modernize border surveillance, and implement a robust intelligence-led strategy to stop violence before it occurs.
