Former presidential candidate and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has criticised the federal government for what he described as its “shamefully political and dangerously unserious” handling of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
In a statement released over the weekend, Hashim accused the government of prioritising propaganda and political maneuvering over genuine efforts to protect citizens from terrorists and bandits.
“This government treats the blood of innocent Nigerians like a campaign statistic,” he said. “Instead of confronting terrorists and bandits, they issue empty statements and blame imaginary enemies. Governance is not propaganda.”
Hashim alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was more focused on gaining political advantage ahead of the 2027 elections than securing the country. “Rather than uniting the nation, the APC is pitching the South against the North,” he added.
He linked the recent move by the United States to consider placing Nigeria on a watchlist over religious and security concerns to what he described as the government’s failure to tackle terrorism effectively.
“While Nigeria has no state policy of genocide or persecution, the government’s indifference toward terrorist activities should alarm every decent human being, not just Americans,” Hashim said.
The former presidential candidate warned that terrorist groups could establish parallel administrations in parts of northern Nigeria before 2027 if the trend continues. He said the North Central region could become the main battleground for such groups.
Hashim also criticised the political elite for being preoccupied with the 2027 elections while the country remains unstable. “Too many politicians are dancing around 2027, ignoring the fire already consuming the nation. If this continues, there may not even be an environment for elections,” he cautioned.
On the economy, Hashim faulted President Bola Tinubu’s administration for overburdening citizens with taxes, saying such policies are worsening poverty and insecurity. “When people can’t eat or live in dignity, social violence becomes inevitable. You can’t tax hunger out of poverty; you only create more chaos,” he said.
He urged the federal government to urgently reform the security architecture, address the economic roots of violence, and foster unity through a genuine national development plan.
“We must save Nigeria now. Delay is dangerous. This is no longer about politics; it is about the survival of our nation,” Hashim concluded.
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