The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, chided President Muhammadu Buhari over the worrisome state of security in the country.
This is even as the party noted that the recent declaration by immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, that, it would take the nation 20 years to win the war against terrorism, “is a direct hit on President Buhari’s failure as a Commander-in-Chief.”
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, read, “The party notes with dismay that our nation has descended to a level where government officials and other prominent Nigerians have resorted to begging and negotiating with terrorists”, adding that “such ugly reality of a failed state confirms that the Buhari administration has surrendered the sovereignty of our nation to bandits, insurgents and terrorists.
“Moreover, the recent statement by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Bashir Magashi, that unarmed Nigerians should protect themselves in the face of armed aggression by bandits and terrorists, further exposes Buhari as a failed Commander-in-Chief, who cannot stand up to the demands of the designation of his office.
“It should interest Mr. President that a member of his cabinet has declared him ineffective as well as one who is incapable of commanding his parade and guaranteeing the safety of lives and property of our citizens.
“Even more depressing is the disposition of the Buhari Presidency to blame victims of terrorists’ attacks, as was in the case of the beheading of 43 compatriots in Borno State, instead of going after and apprehending the assailants.
“Such tendencies against Nigerians expose the lack of determination by the Buhari administration to fight insurgents which, in turn, emboldens the outlaws who had earlier been pushed to the fringes under the PDP administration, to resurge to unleash terror on our compatriots.”