Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives attacked President Tinubu's administration on Wednesday. They accused it of chasing 2027 election politics while Nigeria burns.
Minority Leader Fred Agbedi spoke at the National Assembly in Abuja that morning. He painted a dire picture of insecurity, economic collapse, and court battles targeting opposition parties.
The caucus condemned the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar. Security forces found him dead after he and his wife were kidnapped in Katsina State.
Agbedi described the general's fate as catastrophic. "That a General of the Nigerian Army could be kidnapped alongside his wife and later declared dead under unclear circumstances is a grave indictment of a failed state," he noted.
According to Agbedi, the incident exposed Nigeria's broken security apparatus. Such a tragedy, he argued, indicted the entire nation's defense architecture.
Opposition lawmakers demanded immediate action from President Tinubu. They want a clear roadmap to crush insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping rings across the country.
They also raised alarms about schoolchildren held captive in Oyo State. Security agencies must intensify rescue operations, the caucus insisted.
Every passing hour endangers these victims, lawmakers warned. It threatens Nigeria's future too, they stressed.
On the political front, opposition members hit back at recent court decisions. A Federal High Court ordered the deregistration of certain political parties.
The move looked designed to cripple opposition forces before 2027, the caucus alleged. But a Court of Appeal suspension offered some relief on that front.
Opposition parties face serious institutional headwinds, according to the lawmakers. New party registrations get blocked and electoral rules remain unfairly restrictive.
Agbedi urged the judiciary to protect democratic competition. INEC must also stay impartial, he said.
Economic hardship grips ordinary Nigerians right now. Living conditions have deteriorated sharply across states and communities.
Agbedi accused the ruling party of prioritizing endorsements and campaign events. Instead, officials should tackle national emergencies and citizen suffering.
The caucus drew up a list of urgent demands for government. Security architecture needs complete overhaul and restructuring immediately.
Military personnel deserve better welfare packages, lawmakers added. Soldiers risk their lives on poor wages and benefits.
A transparent probe into General Rabe's death must happen. Officials must explain exactly what occurred in captivity.
Rescue operations for the Oyo State captives require urgent speed. Every day of delay compounds the crisis, opposition members stressed.
Agbedi called on Nigeria's Chief Justice to act decisively. Conflicting court rulings on party registration have created chaos.
INEC leadership must commit to electoral neutrality going forward. The commission should resist pressure from any political corner.
