The House of Representatives has responded sharply to its Minority Caucus after they urged President Bola Tinubu to either tackle insecurity or step down. In a statement released Friday by spokesman Akin Rotimi, the House acknowledged the concerns but stressed that opposition lawmakers are part of the government and have a duty to contribute solutions.
Minority Leader Fred Agbedi had earlier called on President Tinubu to halt all 2027 campaign activities and focus on a six-month national security and economic recovery plan. He warned, “Lead or leave,” during a Wednesday press conference.
The House, however, noted that Nigeria’s security challenges are not new and cannot be resolved overnight. It pointed out that security agencies are making steady progress by dismantling criminal networks and rescuing kidnap victims.
Lawmakers were reminded that they possess constitutional powers to legislate and control budgets, urging them to propose concrete measures rather than resort to public grandstanding. The House emphasized that parliamentary accountability for national security is a shared responsibility, not limited to any caucus.
“Security remains a shared national responsibility that transcends political affiliation. Our duty as Parliament is not only to express concern but to ensure such concerns are translated into effective legislative and oversight actions that strengthen national security,” the statement read.