The All Progressives Congress (APC) has vehemently condemned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for its reaction to the tragic killing of innocent citizens in Malumfashi, Katsina State. The APC labeled the ADC’s comments as profoundly insensitive and opportunistic, exploiting a national tragedy for political gain. The APC emphasized that the loss of innocent lives to terrorism is a matter of deep national sorrow and should be universally condemned, not leveraged for partisan advantage. The party expressed condolences to the victims’ families and stressed the need for national unity and support for security forces in the face of such tragedies.
The controversy arose from the ADC’s call for President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara and Katsina States following the Malumfashi killings. The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the ruling APC of indifference to human life, alleging that the party is solely driven by the pursuit of power. This accusation sparked the APC’s strong rebuke, accusing the ADC of engaging in “insensitive and crassly opportunistic politics” by attempting to capitalize on the tragic incident for political mileage. The APC asserted that such a grave event demands national solidarity and support for security forces, not political point-scoring.
The APC further criticized the ADC’s suggestion that President Tinubu should remain grounded in anticipation of attacks, calling it “remarkably lame and senseless,” and indicative of a lack of understanding of government operations. The APC argued that the President’s international engagements are crucial for attracting foreign investment, strengthening security partnerships, and securing international support in the fight against terrorism. These international collaborations, the APC emphasized, are essential for national development and combating security challenges which Nigeria cannot address in isolation. The APC cited recent successful joint Nigeria-Chad raids that led to the capture of key terrorist figures as evidence of the effectiveness of such international cooperation.
The ruling party highlighted its commitment to addressing the security challenges facing the nation. The APC detailed its ongoing efforts, including the review of the National Security Strategy, increased defense spending to bolster capacity, regional and international collaborations for intelligence sharing, and community-based interventions to tackle insecurity at local levels. The APC contrasted these concrete actions with what it described as the ADC’s unproductive focus on “peddling false narratives and obscene propaganda,” linking this approach to the ADC’s poor performance in recent bye-elections.
The APC argued that the ADC’s focus should be on internal reform rather than “chasing shadows” and spreading misinformation. The party underscored President Tinubu’s unwavering dedication to the safety and security of all Nigerians, citing the recent deployment of special forces and advanced technology to volatile areas as proof of this commitment. The APC maintains that its focus remains on practical solutions and collaboration with security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of the Malumfashi attack and restore peace and security to affected communities.
In conclusion, the APC condemned the ADC’s response to the Malumfashi killings as opportunistic and insensitive, accusing the opposition party of exploiting the tragedy for political gain. The APC emphasized the need for national unity and support for security forces in the face of terrorism, highlighting its own ongoing efforts to address security challenges through strategic deployments, increased defense spending, international partnerships, and community-based interventions. The ruling party contrasted its approach with what it described as the ADC’s unproductive focus on spreading misinformation and engaging in political theatrics. The APC urged the ADC to focus on internal reform rather than exploiting national tragedies for political advantage.
