On Sunday, the Presidency responded to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s claim that the reported deaths of 5,091 Nigerians in violent incidents over a three-month span negatively reflected on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The Presidency argued that during this time frame, security forces successfully neutralized over 13,000 terrorists and rescued thousands of Nigerians from captivity.
They contended that Atiku ignored the Armed Forces’ achievements in combating terrorism, opting instead to partake in what was described as “a politics of despair.”
In an interview with one of our correspondents, Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, dismissed allegations made by Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication.
Atiku condemned President Tinubu’s security track record as bleak, citing the high death toll to argue for a government change.
Ajayi emphasized the recent accomplishments of security agencies over the last three months, pointing out that official reports show they have eliminated between 13,000 to 20,000 terrorists and successfully rescued at least 10,000 Nigerians from perilous situations managed by different security forces including the DSS and the military.
Ajayi wondered why Atiku failed to recognize these efforts, accusing him of overlooking positive developments because they didn’t fit his political agenda. He highlighted the ongoing rescue operations conducted by the military, police, and other agencies across different states, noting that recent actions in Niger State alone resulted in rescuing 308 people.
Ajayi highlighted that, in addition to conducting rescues, the military has been actively engaging armed groups with offensive operations. He accused Atiku of emphasizing negative narratives to incite fear and hopelessness for political advantage.
He condemned Atiku’s approach as inappropriate for a former Vice President, asserting that as a statesman, Atiku should embrace a more constructive attitude rather than promoting despair.
Ajayi forecasted a decisive victory for President Tinubu in the 2027 elections, downplaying Atiku’s prospects. He confidently asserted that Tinubu’s effective measures to address insecurity and stabilize the nation would secure his electoral success, regardless of any opposing efforts from Atiku and his supporters.
Atiku had earlier remarked that the concerning number of deaths highlighted a failure by the Tinubu administration to fulfill its essential responsibility of safeguarding citizens’ lives and property.
