In a cautionary statement on Monday, public affairs analyst and civil society advocate Itodo Vincent warned that Nigeria’s escalating security challenges must not be exploited for political gain as the 2027 general elections approach.
Vincent’s remarks come on the heels of a controversial ultimatum issued by House of Representatives Minority Leader Fred Agbedi, who gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu six months to resolve the nation’s insecurity or face calls to step down. Agbedi also proposed a suspension of all political activities until security improves, a suggestion that has drawn mixed reactions across the country.
The analyst described Agbedi’s comments as both unfortunate and counterproductive. While acknowledging the legitimacy of concerns over insecurity, he argued that senior political figures should not leverage such a sensitive issue for partisan purposes. According to Vincent, Nigeria’s security problems predate the current administration and require a unified approach involving government agencies, security forces, community leaders, and political stakeholders.
“It is regrettable that Hon. Fred Agbedi decided to turn national security into a political football. Nigerians are looking for practical solutions and collaborative efforts from their leaders, not statements designed to score cheap political points,” Vincent stated.
He further criticized the ultimatum as reckless and unbecoming of a statesman, emphasizing that security cannot be reduced to a political tool. “Issuing an ultimatum to the president and suggesting resignation if insecurity isn’t resolved in six months is not constructive. What the country needs now is unity, innovative ideas, and support for ongoing security and economic initiatives, not inflammatory rhetoric,” Vincent added.