ADC, PDP Decry Nigeria’s Terror Ranking, Seek Reforms

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) blamed the poor handling of security by the President Bola Tinubu administration for Nigeria’s ranking as the fourth most terrorism-affected country in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026.

The opposition parties, in separate statements, described the development as evidence of failure in governance and national security management.

The  Global Terrorism Index (GTI), released on March 19, 2026 by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), has revealed that Nigeria experienced the largest year-on-year increase in terrorism-related deaths globally.

This surge has propelled the country to fourth place on the index, trailing only Pakistan, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

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

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.

On its part, the Turaki-led PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said said, “Our country, under the leadership of the APC-led Government, has infamously earned a fourth position in the world on the impact of terrorism survey.”

The PDP spokesman that the report reflects the “daily lived reality” of Nigerians, claiming that insecurity has worsened significantly in recent times. It also alleged that criminal activities linked to insecurity have grown into what it described as a “trillion-naira economy.”

Calling for urgent action, Ememobong urged the federal government to move beyond what he described as reactive responses to attacks. “We call on the President and the entire security hierarchy to stop performing reactive responses… and rather adopt a whole-of-society approach towards solving insecurity,” he said.

He added that authorities must implement strategies aimed at achieving both immediate safety and long-term stability, noting the need for policies that ensure “negative peace” — the cessation of violence — and “positive peace,” defined as sustainable and harmonious coexistence.

Reiterating the PDP’s position, the spokesman emphasized that protecting lives and property remains the primary responsibility of any government. “It needs reminding that the primary duty of every Government is the protection of lives and property — a task that this administration has consistently failed glaringly,” he stated.