Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that recent comments by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC have exposed what he described as the Tinubu administration’s fiscal mismanagement, arguing that it partly explains the worsening insecurity and loss of lives across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Mr Atiku said the concerns raised by Monguno over budget implementation and security funding had vindicated the opposition’s long-standing criticisms of the Federal Government.
The former vice president said he could not remain silent while Nigerians continued to lose their lives amid growing insecurity, insisting that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property.
Mr Atiku, who holds the traditional title of Zege Mule U Tiv II—translated as the Great Shelter and Protective Umbrella of the Tiv Nation—said the honour bestowed on him by the Tiv Area Traditional Council in 2001 serves as a constant reminder that leadership is about protecting the people rather than wielding power.
According to him, “The title was never meant to be an ornament. It is a sacred covenant that leadership must provide shelter in moments of fear, protection in times of danger and hope when communities come under attack. It is a constant reminder that the first duty of leadership is not power, but protection.”
The ADC presidential candidate said Monguno’s intervention had reinforced questions the opposition had repeatedly raised over the implementation of budgets, security funding and fiscal transparency.
“For months, the APC dismissed every concern raised by the opposition about budget implementation, security funding and fiscal opacity as politics. Today, one of its own ranking senators has asked the very questions Nigerians have been asking,” Atiku said.
He noted that the senator questioned why duly approved budgets were allegedly not being faithfully implemented, why trillions of naira generated by the federation were reportedly being retained rather than distributed in line with constitutional provisions, and why critical security agencies had allegedly not received capital releases despite the country’s deteriorating security situation.
“These are not allegations from the opposition. They are grave constitutional questions raised by a distinguished senator of the ruling party,” he added.
Mr Atiku argued that if security agencies were being denied funds appropriated by law for the procurement of equipment, intelligence gathering, logistics and operational support, then the government could not escape responsibility for the consequences.
“Every massacre should compel Nigerians to ask one simple question: were our security agencies given the resources approved by law to prevent it?
“How do you expect our gallant security personnel to defeat terrorists, bandits and kidnappers when those responsible for equipping them are allegedly withholding the very funds appropriated for that purpose?” he queried.
The former vice president further claimed that independent conflict monitors had estimated that more than 17,000 Nigerians had lost their lives in violent attacks since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, while thousands more had been kidnapped by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups.
He described the casualties as more than statistics, saying they represented fathers, mothers, children, students, farmers and breadwinners whose deaths had left families in perpetual grief.
Mr Atiku also criticised President Tinubu, recalling that before assuming office he had frequently criticised former President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity and repeatedly maintained that the foremost duty of government was to protect lives and property.
He said Nigerians were now holding Tinubu to the same standard he demanded of previous administrations.
“Sadly, what they have witnessed instead is what many now describe as a ‘Sidon Look’ Presidency—one that appears content to issue condolences after every massacre instead of preventing the next one,” he said.
Drawing on the symbolism of his traditional title, Atiku said a true leader should stand with citizens in times of crisis and work proactively to prevent tragedies.
“A Zege Mule does not watch from a distance while his people are under attack. He becomes their shield. He stands between them and danger. He provides refuge in moments of fear,” he said.
He maintained that throughout his years in public service, he had always believed leaders should identify personally with victims of violence, visit affected communities, comfort bereaved families and build institutions capable of preventing future attacks.
