The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling on him to either decisively end terrorism in the country or step aside, following the worsening insecurity across several states.
Adebayo made the remarks on Tuesday during a condolence visit to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan, over the recent attack on schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, where pupils, teachers and staff were abducted by armed men.
The SDP candidate said the Federal Government had failed in its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, insisting that the situation reflected a deep governance failure at the centre.
He accused the Tinubu-led administration of presiding over a worsening security crisis that has spread across multiple states, forcing him to repeatedly visit affected communities to console victims.
According to him, “What Oyo State is going through is what many states are experiencing. I have been moving from one place to another like a chief mourner because the Federal Government has failed in its primary duty.”
Adebayo further alleged that insecurity had become so pervasive that even core Yoruba states were no longer safe, describing the situation as a serious indictment on national leadership.
He also accused the Federal Government of mismanaging security resources, alleging that funds meant for security operations were being diverted for political purposes.
“The Governor is making efforts with local security arrangements like Amotekun, but he is being overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, which holds the bulk of security resources, has not delivered results,” he said.
He further intensified his criticism, insisting that President Tinubu must take full responsibility as Commander-in-Chief.
“If you cannot secure the country, then you either use your authority to defeat terrorism or resign. Leadership is not about holding office while citizens are being killed,” Adebayo said.
The visit followed the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that has sparked renewed concern over attacks on educational institutions in rural communities.
Victims of the attack were reportedly seen in distress videos appealing for urgent rescue, further heightening public anxiety over the safety of abductees.
In response, the Oyo State Government said security agencies had intensified operations in forested areas believed to be used as hideouts by the kidnappers, while assuring residents of ongoing efforts to secure the release of the victims.
Security concerns have continued to dominate national discourse in recent months as incidents of kidnapping, banditry and attacks on schools persist across several parts of the country.
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