Key Takeaways
- The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organization (MDPCO) under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has called on President Tinubu to immediately rescue abducted NYSC members in Imo State.
- MDPCO also demanded the "unconditional release and safe return" of other Nigerians abducted across Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Borno, and other parts of the country.
- Richard Ihediwa, Director of Strategic Communications for the campaign, criticized President Tinubu's "unpardonable silence" days after the NYSC abductions.
- The opposition group emphasized that the security and wellbeing of citizens are the primary purpose of government, as enshrined in Section 14 (2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution.
- They asserted that the Federal Government holds exclusive responsibility for the security of Nigerian youths called up for mandatory NYSC service.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organization (MDPCO), operating under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has issued a stern challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to take immediate and decisive action to rescue prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members recently abducted in Imo State. The call comes amidst growing national concern over the pervasive issue of insecurity plaguing various regions of Nigeria.
Beyond the plight of the corps members, the campaign council also extended its demand to encompass the "unconditional release and safe return" of countless other Nigerians held captive across multiple states. These include Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Borno, and other areas where abductions have become a horrifyingly common occurrence, highlighting a broader crisis of citizen safety.
Criticism of Presidential Silence and Inaction
In a strongly worded statement, Richard Ihediwa, Director of Strategic Communications for the MDPCO, expressed profound disappointment with the President's response. "Notwithstanding the fact that Nigerians are determined to vote out the President, it is still unpardonable that four days after the abduction of the corps members and despite the public outcry, President Tinubu has remained silent while the abducted corps members languish in misery in their captors’ den," Ihediwa stated, underscoring the perceived lack of urgency from the nation's highest office.
The APM further asserted that Nigeria cannot afford a leadership that appears detached from its fundamental constitutional obligations. They referenced Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which explicitly states that "the security and wellbeing of citizens" is the primary purpose of government. Ihediwa emphasized that once a Nigerian youth is called up for NYSC, their security and welfare become the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government, making the current situation particularly egregious.
A Nation Under Siege: The Broader Abduction Crisis
The abduction of NYSC members, who are typically young graduates serving their mandatory year of national service, carries significant symbolic weight, representing an attack on the nation's youth and future. This incident, coupled with the ongoing abductions of students, commuters, and villagers in other states, paints a grim picture of a nation grappling with a severe security breakdown. The MDPCO's call for action extends to all these victims, stressing the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle the menace of banditry and terrorism.
The campaign drew a stark contrast between Nigeria's current reality and "other climes where leaders prioritize the wellbeing and safety of citizens." In such nations, Ihediwa noted, "citizens are not allowed to remain and suffer in captivity, as has become the horrible reality in Nigeria under the failed All Progressives Congress (APC) administration." This comparison serves to amplify the criticism of the current government's handling of security challenges.
The Call for Decisive Leadership
Ihediwa further stressed that the issue of insecurity demands more than mere rhetoric, lip service, or a "kid gloves" approach. He alleged that this has been the pattern of the APC administration, "especially in the last three and half years, resulting in the killing of more than 600,000 innocent Nigerians by terrorist elements, with countless others in captivity." While this figure is a direct quote from the opposition's statement, it highlights the perceived scale of the crisis from their perspective.
"These ugly indices are unacceptable and can no longer be overlooked by Nigerians," the statement concluded. The MDPCO unequivocally called on President Tinubu to "act now, deal decisively with insecurity and bring back the abducted corps members and all other Nigerians who are languishing in the hands of their abductors." The urgency of their appeal reflects a growing public demand for tangible results in the fight against insecurity.
Why This Matters
The abduction of NYSC members and other citizens represents a profound challenge to Nigeria's national security and social fabric, eroding public trust in government's ability to protect its people. This strong condemnation from an opposition campaign organization not only highlights the humanitarian crisis but also intensifies political pressure on the Tinubu administration to demonstrate effective leadership and deliver on its constitutional mandate of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all Nigerians.