JUST IN: ADC asks President Tinubu to return home after Maiduguri bombings

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked President Bola Tinubu to return to the country following the bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno state.

The party condemned the attack which occurred on Monday night and left 23 people dead and several others injured.

In a statement today, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the party, expressed sympathy with the victims and their families.

His words: “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the people of Maiduguri, a city that has endured more than its fair share of pain over the years.

“Terrorism anywhere in Nigeria is an attack on all Nigerians. At moments like this, the country must stand together with the people who have been affected.

“We commend the courage of first responders and security personnel who are working to assist the injured and restore calm.

“Maiduguri, which in recent years had begun to experience a measure of stability after the darkest days of the insurgency, should not be returning to a situation where coordinated bomb attacks once again threaten the safety of ordinary citizens going about their daily lives. Moments like this demand the full and undivided attention of the nation’s leadership.”

The ADC said it is troubling that the president is currently outside the country and also accused some government officials of focusing on politics instead of security.

“It is therefore troubling that the President is currently outside the country at a time when such a serious attack on national security occurred.

“At a time when Nigerian soldiers and civilians are being wilfully killed by terrorists, those charged with protecting the country are focused on politics of self-succession.

“The National Security Adviser is going after opposition figures and calling bandits his ‘brothers’, while the Minister of Defence is on television planning the APC national convention.

“This is not leadership. It is a dangerous distraction, and it is costing lives. The oath of office is clear, the primary duty of government is the protection of lives. That duty is certainly not being met by this APC government.

“The ADC therefore calls on President Tinubu to return immediately to the country and show, for once, that he cares about something else other than his politics,” the party stated.