Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed intentions to form a significant political coalition with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP) to oppose President Bola Tinubu’s ‘incompetent and inefficient’ government.
Atiku made the statement in Abuja while addressing a team of stakeholders from the Kogi East Senatorial Zone led by former Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba.
The meeting also aimed to address regional insecurity and promote North Korean unity.
Speaking at the occasion, Atiku expressed profound concern about Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, condemning the Tinubu administration for a lack of political will to confront it.
He described his time as vice president during the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency, emphasising how determined leadership under his administration had temporarily neutralised the threat.
Atiku stated, “How can leaders remain indifferent while their citizens are being killed? Such apathy is the height of irresponsibility for any political leader, anywhere.
“I hold our current leadership accountable for the widespread insecurity plaguing our nation. There is a lack of political will.
“Let me remind you of when Boko Haram first emerged in 2002, during our time in office. The president summoned me and asked, ‘Mr Vice President, what should we do about this?’ It began in Yobe. I advised him to call the service chiefs and set a clear deadline: if they couldn’t quell the insurgency, they should resign.
“The president summoned the service chiefs; I was present and issued firm orders. Within weeks, the insurgents in Yobe were subdued, and the threat did not resurface until after we left office.”
Atiku also criticised the government’s underpolicing tactics, arguing that unemployed graduates should be recruited into the police force to help overcome the security manpower shortage.
“We are under-policed. There are not enough police officers in this country, while many educated individuals remain unemployed. Why not recruit them into the police force?” He asked.
He stressed the need for a united front against the current administration, stating, “We are forming a coalition; all major political parties, including the APC, the PDP, and the Labour Party, are involved. This is the only way forward to confront such an incompetent and inefficient government. I assure you of my understanding and full support.”
Simon Achuba, the delegation’s leader, reiterated Atiku’s worries, bemoaning the widespread violence, kidnappings, and destruction of towns in the North.
He accused the federal government of failing to fulfil its constitutional duty to preserve peace and security, calling on northern leaders to take action and create regional unity.
“Unfortunately, the government are doing little to alleviate this crisis, and it is their responsibility, sir. It is the government’s duty to ensure peace and order in our communities.
“Yet, in a situation where the government fails to take adequate action, I believe, we believe, that northern leadership must step up,” Achuba said, calling for internal healing and brotherhood among northerners.
