Tinubu Not Nigeria’s Problem – APC Stalwart Points Fingers Elsewhere in Insecurity Debate

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Victor Akande, has said President Bola Tinubu should not be held responsible for the widespread insecurity in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent, Akande attributed the persistent security challenges to the selfish interests of certain stakeholders within the country.

The former lawmaker, who represented Ojo Constituency 1 in the 8th Lagos State House of Assembly, stressed that President Tinubu cannot personally be in every state to tackle security issues. He insisted that the federal government possesses both the capacity and the resolve to defeat banditry, but efforts are being undermined by individuals shielding criminals due to religious or ethnic sentiments.

“Anyone claiming the government isn’t doing enough on security doesn’t understand the situation,” Akande said. “Should President Tinubu be the one physically securing every state? No. We are, in many ways, sabotaging ourselves.”

He lamented that while communities know the identities of these criminals, many choose not to cooperate with authorities. “When the government moves to take action, the same people protecting these criminals are the first to criticize the state,” he added.

Citing recent incidents, including the uproar after the federal government declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and the backlash over security operations in Edo, Akande noted that public sentiment often contradicts security efforts. “In Uromi, when suspected kidnappers were neutralized, people cried foul. In another case, a man who defended himself from kidnappers is now on death row. This is why there’s hesitation.”

He accused some citizens of deliberately shielding wrongdoers, either out of religious, ethnic loyalty, or because of personal connections.

On the economy, Akande praised President Tinubu’s efforts to revamp a system he claimed was already deeply damaged by the time Tinubu assumed office in 2023. While acknowledging the temporary pains caused by current policies, he urged Nigerians to be patient, assuring them that the long-term benefits will lead to growth and stability.