Says 15,000 Nigerians Killed Under His Watch….
By peterside Rejoice
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for Nigeria’s recent blacklisting by former United States President Donald Trump, who described the country as a “nation of particular concern.” The party blamed the development on worsening insecurity, poor governance, and weak diplomatic management under Tinubu’s watch.
In a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the country’s image had suffered severe damage internationally because of government’s failure to protect lives and uphold human rights.
Abdullahi lamented that no fewer than 15,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent attacks since President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, accusing the government of neglecting its constitutional duty to ensure the safety of citizens.
“We are guided by the painful reality that what is truly at stake are the thousands of human lives lost to insecurity in Nigeria irrespective of tribe, religion, or region. We honour the memory of all victims and extend our deepest sympathies to their families,” the ADC spokesman said.
The party described Trump’s blacklisting remark as a wake-up call, noting that the global community now measures the dignity of nations not just by their economic performance but by how they value and protect human life.
“President Trump’s statement is a stark reminder that human rights and security have become international concerns. The dignity of nations is now measured by their willingness and capacity to protect their own people,” the party stated.
According to the ADC, insecurity has worsened under President Tinubu, with communities sacked, worshippers slaughtered in places of worship, and terrorist groups extending their reach beyond the North into the Middle Belt and southern regions.
Citing the October 31, 2025 terror attack in Kwara State, which was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group, the ADC said the incident further proved that the situation had “spiralled out of control.”
“Entire communities have been displaced, and bandits now impose taxes on citizens with impunity. Boko Haram, once declared technically defeated, is regaining strength, while new international terror groups openly claim successful attacks on Nigerian soil,” the statement read.
While acknowledging that the insecurity crisis predates Tinubu’s tenure, the ADC accused the President of worsening the situation through denial, lack of accountability, and insensitivity.
“The insecurity crisis did not begin under President Tinubu, but he has failed to acknowledge its worsening under his watch or accept responsibility. Instead, Nigerians have been met with excuses, silence, indifference, and political posturing that mock the suffering of victims and their families,” it said.
The party also faulted what it described as “diplomatic inertia” under the present administration, querying why several key Nigerian embassies remain without ambassadors more than two years after the President took office.
“Why has the government failed to appoint ambassadors to key countries more than two years into its term? How can an administration boasting of record revenues still cite lack of funds as an excuse? Why has foreign policy become so personalised, focused on the president’s image rather than Nigeria’s interests?” Abdullahi queried.
The ADC further lamented that Nigeria’s once-strong leadership role in Africa and within the ECOWAS bloc has weakened significantly under Tinubu’s leadership.
“Under President Tinubu, Nigeria’s leadership status in Africa has sharply declined. The fracturing of ECOWAS under his watch shows how much ground we have lost as a continental leader,” the party stated.
To restore stability and rebuild confidence, the ADC called for sweeping reforms, including a total overhaul of the security architecture, appointment of qualified ambassadors, and a foreign policy reset anchored on accountability and integrity.
“We must act now, with courage, clarity, and an unyielding commitment to protect the lives and dignity of every Nigerian. Certainly, Nigeria cannot continue like this,” the party declared.
While appealing for international cooperation, the ADC urged the U.S. and other world powers to focus on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy rather than imposing punitive sanctions or considering military intervention.
“We appreciate President Trump and other world leaders for their concern about the security situation in our country. However, any talk of military intervention would be counterproductive and dangerous to our democracy,” Abdullahi said.
The party warned that with insecurity rising, public trust eroding, and what it described as a government “obsessed with propaganda and self-praise,” Nigeria risked sliding into deeper instability unless urgent and decisive actions were taken to reverse the trend.
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