2027: Yari’s Comment Exposes Tinubu’s Failure on Insecurity — ADC Campaign

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, describing a recent comment by Senator Abdulaziz Yari as an admission that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has struggled to address insecurity.

The opposition campaign council reacted after Yari, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, reportedly questioned what Nigerians should expect from Tinubu when former President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired military general, could not completely eliminate insecurity during his administration.

Yari made the remark on Monday during a visit to Kebbi State, where he met with Governor Nasir Idris, traditional rulers and other political leaders in Birnin Kebbi.

According to reports, Yari acknowledged that Nigeria continued to face security challenges but defended the Tinubu administration, saying the President had done his best to address them.

ADC Campaign Council Accuses APC of Failure

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the ADC-PCC, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, argued that Yari’s remarks raised questions about the APC’s ability to convince Nigerians that another presidential term under Tinubu would deliver improved security.

The opposition campaign council said it was troubling that a senior figure responsible for coordinating the ruling party’s re-election campaign appeared to acknowledge the difficulty of resolving insecurity.

According to the council, Nigerians continue to face threats from kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes, leaving communities vulnerable and families worried about their safety.

The ADC-PCC argued that the ruling party should explain what it intends to do differently if it is seeking another mandate in 2027.

It also questioned whether Yari’s comparison with Buhari’s administration offered a convincing explanation for the security situation or amounted to lowering public expectations.

The criticism reflects the opposition’s attempt to make security a central issue in the debate over Tinubu’s re-election bid.

What Yari Said About Tinubu and Buhari

Yari’s reported comment compared Tinubu’s efforts with those of Buhari, who served as President from 2015 to 2023 and had a military background.

He argued that Buhari, despite being a retired general, was unable to eliminate insecurity completely, suggesting that the challenge could not be resolved simply by pointing to Tinubu’s lack of a military career.

Yari also maintained that the current administration was making efforts to address security threats across the country.

His comments have since become a subject of political debate, with the ADC interpreting the comparison as an indication that the APC has not provided sufficient reassurance about its ability to protect Nigerians.

The distinction is important: Yari’s reported remarks acknowledged the continuing challenge of insecurity, but he did not present them as an announcement that the government had abandoned its efforts.

The ADC-PCC, however, said the statement raised concerns about the ruling party’s confidence in its own approach.

ADC Questions APC’s Bid for Another Term

The opposition campaign council challenged the APC to explain why Nigerians should renew its mandate when insecurity remains a major public concern.

It argued that a party seeking another four years in office should be able to outline a credible plan for protecting lives and property rather than rely on comparisons with the performance of a previous administration.

The council also maintained that the government must take responsibility for its own security record instead of using the difficulties faced by earlier administrations to explain current challenges.

The ADC-PCC presented its party as an alternative, saying its approach would involve strengthening security institutions, improving intelligence gathering, investing in modern policing and deploying technology to support security operations.

It also highlighted employment opportunities and measures to address socioeconomic conditions that can contribute to criminality.

These proposals form part of the opposition campaign council’s political argument ahead of the 2027 election. Their effectiveness would depend on the details of the policies, how they are implemented and the results they produce.

Insecurity Remains a Major Political Issue

Security is expected to remain an important issue in the 2027 presidential campaign, particularly as communities in different parts of Nigeria continue to report attacks, kidnappings and other forms of violence.

The federal government has repeatedly defended its security efforts, while opposition parties have questioned whether those measures are producing sufficient improvements for ordinary Nigerians.

Yari’s comments have added another dimension to that debate because of his position as the head of the APC’s presidential campaign organisation.

For the ADC, the statement offers an opportunity to challenge the ruling party’s record and question its readiness to seek another term. For the APC, the broader argument remains that the security crisis is complex and that the administration is working to address it.

The public will ultimately assess both parties on their policies, explanations and ability to demonstrate credible results.

Political Debate Intensifies Ahead of 2027

The exchange highlights how security is likely to feature prominently as political parties seek support ahead of the next general election.

The ADC-PCC has urged Nigerians to consider Yari’s remarks when evaluating the APC’s record, arguing that voters deserve a clear account of what the government has achieved and what it intends to do next.

Yari, meanwhile, has defended Tinubu’s efforts while acknowledging that insecurity remains unresolved.

The disagreement underscores the competing narratives emerging ahead of 2027: the ruling party’s defence of its performance and the opposition’s argument that Nigerians need a more effective approach to protecting lives and property.

Source: Independent Newspaper Nigeria, Punch Newspapers and other reports on Senator Abdulaziz Yari’s remarks and the ADC-PCC’s response.