The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the cancellation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled visits to South Africa and Angola, describing the decision as a direct consequence of the escalating insecurity across the country.
This was contained in a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong on Thursday, describing the move as a superficial gesture that fails to address Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
Ememobong said the President’s decision, which was announced amid national outrage over the kidnapping of twenty-five schoolgirls in Kebbi State, is “the latest and boldest example of tokenism”.
According to him, the gesture may appear sympathetic but does little to confront the escalating insecurity across the country.
“If the APC led Presidency disagrees with this position, then we demand that President Tinubu temporarily relocate to Kebbi State and other theatres of armed conflict in Northern Nigeria,” he said.
The party’s mouthpiece further stated that such a step would challenge security agencies to act more decisively and boost the morale of troops at the frontlines.
“As President and Commander in Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must not recline in the comfort of the Presidential Villa at a time when 25 schoolgirls have been abducted and their whereabouts remain unknown,” he added.
The party linked recent attacks in Kwara State to what it described as the daily reality of fear faced by Nigerians, accusing the administration of offering outright denials, rationalised explanations, empty assurances, and other superficial gestures such as the President’s cancelled trip.
