ADC to Tinubu: Seeking UN Security Council Seat Absurd Amid Worsening Insecurity

ADC to Tinubu: Seeking UN Security Council Seat Absurd Amid Worsening Insecurity

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to obtain a permanent seat for Nigeria on the United Nations Security Council. They argue that this initiative is unrealistic given the country’s ongoing issues with escalating insecurity.

In a statement released on Sunday by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary, the party criticized the government for seeking global responsibilities while failing to ensure the safety of its own citizens.

“It is astonishing that the Tinubu administration seeks a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, even as bandits continue to slaughter Nigerians and seize control of parts of the country,” stated the ADC.

How can a government that fails to ensure peace and security domestically expect to be regarded seriously in global discussions on security?

“According to the party, gunmen assaulted a mosque in Yandoto village, Zamfara State just last Friday, resulting in the deaths of worshippers and abduction of others. Weeks prior, approximately 45 people had been killed in Zamfara with entire villages destroyed and dozens kidnapped. A similar incident occurred in Katsina where around 47 individuals lost their lives while many more were injured or taken hostage.”

In just two months, over 140 Nigerians have been killed in Zamfara and Katsina alone. According to Amnesty International, more than 10,000 lives have been lost since May 2025 due to attacks by armed groups. These numbers represent real people—Nigerians who were promised renewed hope by this administration.

The ADC announced that armed groups in Zamfara State had compelled farmers to pay over N56 million last month before granting them access to their farmlands.

The party contended that the extent of lawlessness in the state raises significant concerns regarding Nigeria’s territorial control. They pointed out that when non-state actors impose levies, restrict access to land, and commit murder without facing repercussions, they operate as a parallel authority rather than merely being ordinary criminals.

“This isn’t merely an issue of insecurity anymore; it’s about the erosion of Nigeria’s territorial integrity under President Bola Tinubu,” stated the ADC.

Today’s events are more than just a security failure; they starkly reveal, through the tragic loss of innocent lives, that the government has lost control.

“In a country that takes such matters seriously, these tragedies would prompt resignations, emergency meetings, and an extensive strategic review. Instead, here they are merely addressed with standard condolence messages from presidential spokespeople,” the statement continued.

“It is utterly illogical for the same administration, which has overseen daily killings of Nigerians and allowed bandits to seize territories, to now aspire to participate in high-level global security discussions.”

“The global community is not deceived by eloquent addresses in New York. They recognize that certain regions of Nigeria have turned into killing fields, where life has indeed become harsh, brutal, and brief.”

The statement mentioned that Nigeria’s efforts to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council will continue to be viewed as unrealistic until the government demonstrates its ability to protect its citizens.

“True global leadership starts with taking responsibility at home. However, the nation is still plagued by violence while assurances of safety remain unmet.”

The ADC also criticized President Bola Tinubu for not attending the commissioning of 874 new officers at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, marking his absence from this event for a second consecutive year.

The party contended that amidst escalating insecurity, the President should have seized the opportunity to inspire officers and reassure northern communities facing assaults. However, he opted to attend the inauguration of the renovated National Arts Theater in Lagos, which was criticized by the party as a misplaced priority.

“The ADC stated that the administration is beset by misplaced priorities, with the President taking on a passive role as an observer, witnessing from afar while villages are engulfed in flames and prayers conclude amidst gunfire.”

This government’s alarming indifference risks fostering a harmful belief that some Nigerian lives are valued less than others. A President who swiftly declared a state of emergency during the political crisis in Rivers, yet remains silent on the killings in Zamfara and Katsina, cannot credibly claim to value all lives equally.

We once again urge for the swift declaration of a state of emergency in Zamfara State. The attacks on this region must cease, and the wave of violence needs to be halted immediately.