ADC Blames Tinubu Government For Nigeria’s Terror Ranking, Proposes Security Reforms

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the administration of Bola Tinubu following Nigeria’s ranking as the fourth most terrorism-affected country in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, describing the development as evidence of failure in governance and national security management.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC said the ranking is “not an abstract statistic” but a reflection of the government’s inability to protect citizens.

Abdullahi said, “Nigeria is now ranked the 4th most terrorism-affected country in the world. That is not an abstract statistic. It is a direct reflection of the failure of the Bola Tinubu-led APC government to secure the country.”

The ADC referenced key findings from the report, including a 43 percent increase in terror attacks—from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025—as well as rising civilian casualties. According to the party, violence has become heavily concentrated in Borno State, which it said accounts for the majority of attacks and deaths.

The statement also raised concerns about the evolving nature of threats, alleging that groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram remain active, while new groups are emerging, worsening the security landscape.

The ADC further criticized what it described as a lack of leadership presence during critical moments. “At a moment when Nigerians are grieving… Tinubu, his National Security Adviser, and the Minister of Defence are abroad. The contrast is clear: a country in crisis, and a leadership that is absent,” the statement read.

Beyond criticism, the party outlined a three-point strategy aimed at addressing the country’s security challenges. Central to its proposal is the creation of a coordinated national intelligence system. “Nigeria does not lack intelligence, it lacks coordination… The goal is simple: no more missed signals, no more confusion, no more excuses,” Abdullahi stated.

The ADC also called for the decentralization of policing to allow for federal, state, and community-based security structures, arguing that policing cannot be effectively managed solely from the nation’s capital.

The party emphasised the need to shift from reactive to preventive security measures, advocating for intelligence-driven operations supported by data, early warning systems, and rapid response units across all states.

The party spokesman added that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity reflects deeper governance issues, including economic hardship and instability, and urged a comprehensive approach to restoring safety and public confidence.