Lack of Decisive Leadership Cause of Escalating Insecurity, Says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has attributed the escalating insecurity in Nigeria to the lack of decisive leadership by those who succeeded former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Atiku made this assertion on Wednesday during a meeting with stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial District, led by former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, in Abuja.

According to Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer in the 2023 presidential election, Obasanjo’s administration was proactive in addressing the Boko Haram insurgency when it first emerged in Yobe State over two decades ago.

He recalled that Obasanjo had taken swift action, instructing the Service Chiefs to quell the uprising and threatening to replace them if they failed to do so.

Atiku lamented that subsequent leaders have failed to demonstrate the same level of political will and decisiveness in tackling the growing insecurity in the country.

“So I hold our leadership responsible for all the insecurity that is going on all over the place,” he stated.

The former Vice President expressed his dismay at the seeming indifference of current leaders to the plight of Nigerians, who are being killed and displaced by terrorist groups.

“When they’re killing your citizens, how can you even eat? They’re killing your citizens and you don’t give a damn; that is the greatest irresponsibility by any political leader, anywhere,” Atiku said.

Boko Haram’s 15-year insurgency has resulted in the loss of over 40,000 lives and the displacement of around two million people. The group’s quest for an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria has led to a protracted conflict that has devastated the country’s northeast region.

Atiku’s comments come as Nigeria continues to grapple with various security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

The country’s leaders have been criticized for their handling of the situation, with many calling for more decisive action to address the root causes of the insecurity.

The former Vice President’s statement has sparked a renewed debate about the role of leadership in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges. As the country continues to navigate its complex security landscape, Atiku’s comments serve as a reminder of the need for effective and decisive leadership to tackle the growing insecurity and restore peace and stability to the nation.