ADC's Scathing Response to GTI Report
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a scathing rebuke of the Bola Tinubu-led government following the release of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 report, which ranks Nigeria as the fourth most terrorism-affected country globally.
In a statement, ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, highlighted the report's alarming findings, including a 43% increase in terrorist attacks and a rising civilian death toll, and attributed these to a governance crisis.
A Troubling Verdict on Insecurity
The ADC's statement comes amidst a deadly terrorist attack in Borno State, underscoring the dire security situation in Nigeria. The party asserts that the GTI report is a stark indictment of the government's failure to safeguard the nation.
The statement reads, "The GTI report is a clear and troubling verdict on the state of insecurity in Nigeria. The 4th-place ranking is not just a statistic; it's a reflection of the government's inability to protect its citizens."
Leadership Under Scrutiny
The ADC further criticizes the government's leadership, noting that while Nigerians grieve and live in fear, President Tinubu and his top security officials are abroad. This, they argue, highlights a disconnect between the government and the people's needs.
Abdullahi said, "Nigerians should question the government's priorities. In times of crisis, the Tinubu administration seems more interested in publicity stunts and propaganda than in taking decisive action."
A Growing Threat
The GTI report reveals a worsening security situation, with a sharp rise in attacks and civilian casualties. Borno State has become the epicenter of violence, accounting for the majority of attacks and deaths. The emergence of new extremist groups, like Lakurawa, further exacerbates the crisis.
The ADC emphasizes that these trends indicate a governance failure, echoing the GTI's identification of weak governance, instability, and economic hardship as terrorism drivers.
ADC's Proposed Solutions
The ADC proposes a three-part strategy to address the crisis:
- Intelligence Coordination: Establish a national intelligence coordination system to improve information sharing and response.
- Decentralized Policing: Implement a multi-layered policing system to bring security closer to communities.
- Preventive Security: Shift focus from reactive responses to intelligence-led prevention, stopping attacks before they occur.
Abdullahi concludes, "The ADC is committed to fixing Nigeria's security system, ensuring coordination, local empowerment, and proactive measures to restore peace and security across the nation."