Nigeria Needs A President Who Protects The Living — Atiku Renews Attack On Tinubu Over Insecurity

• Atiku cites APC Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno’s comments to argue that concerns over security funding and budget implementation have now been validated from within the ruling party.

• Former Vice President alleges delayed releases to security agencies have worsened Nigeria’s insecurity, asking whether funds appropriated by law are reaching the frontlines.

• ADC presidential candidate says President Tinubu is now being judged by the same security standards he once demanded of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

• Atiku promises sweeping security reforms, including prompt release of security funds, intelligence-led policing, modern surveillance and stronger border protection if elected.

Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has launched another blistering attack on President Bola Tinubu over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, declaring that the country “does not need a President who merely mourns the dead after every massacre” but one “who protects the living”.

Atiku said recent comments by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, a ranking member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had reinforced the opposition’s long-standing concerns about the Tinubu administration’s handling of security funding, budget implementation and fiscal transparency.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President argued that the disclosures by the APC senator had exposed what he described as the dangerous consequences of fiscal mismanagement, insisting that they help explain why insecurity continues to claim lives across the country.

According to Atiku, Senator Monguno’s intervention vindicated the opposition’s repeated criticisms of the Federal Government’s alleged failure to faithfully implement appropriated budgets, particularly allocations intended for national security.

He noted that while the APC had dismissed similar concerns raised by opposition figures as political rhetoric, one of its own senior lawmakers had now publicly questioned the implementation of the budget and the management of government revenues.

“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 further quoted Senator Monguno as questioning why duly enacted budgets were allegedly not being implemented as passed by the National Assembly, why trillions of naira generated by the Federation were reportedly being retained instead of being distributed in accordance with the Constitution, 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”, Atiku stated.

Links Funding to Rising Insecurity

The former Vice President argued that if security agencies were not receiving funds appropriated by law to procure equipment, improve intelligence gathering, strengthen logistics and support military operations, then the government could not escape responsibility for the consequences.

He said every deadly attack across the country should provoke a fundamental question about whether the nation’s security institutions had been adequately funded.

“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 asked.

Atiku further claimed that independent conflict monitors estimate that more than 17,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent attacks since the Tinubu administration assumed office, while thousands more have been abducted by terrorists, bandits and other armed groups.

According to him, behind every casualty figure is a grieving family, insisting that the deaths represent far more than statistics.

Compares Tinubu With Jonathan

The ADC presidential candidate also turned to President Tinubu’s record as an opposition leader, recalling that Tinubu had repeatedly criticised the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity.

He argued that the President built much of his political identity around the principle that the first responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property and should therefore be held to the same standard today.

“As an opposition leader, President Tinubu repeatedly declared that the first responsibility of any government was the protection of lives and property. He spared no criticism of the Jonathan administration whenever terrorists struck. Today, Nigerians are asking him to meet the same standard he demanded of others”, Atiku said.

He added that many Nigerians now describe the current administration as operating a “Sidon Look Presidency”, alleging that it appears more inclined to issue condolences after attacks than to prevent them.

‘Leadership Must Be a Shield’

Atiku also reflected on his traditional title, Zege Mule U Tiv II—meaning The Great Shelter and Protective Umbrella of the Tiv Nation—which was conferred on him by the Tiv Area Traditional Council in May 2001 during his tenure as Vice President.

He described the honour as a sacred covenant that places on him a lifelong obligation to protect vulnerable communities.

“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.
“The first duty of leadership is not power, but protection”, he said.

The former Vice President maintained that leaders should identify personally with victims of attacks, visit affected communities, comfort bereaved families and build institutions capable of preventing future tragedies.

He pledged that an ADC administration under his leadership would ensure that every naira appropriated for national security is released promptly and accounted for.

He also promised to restore intelligence-led policing, deploy modern surveillance technology, strengthen border security, improve inter-agency coordination, fully equip and motivate security personnel and establish effective community-based early warning systems to prevent attacks before they occur.

In addition, Atiku said his administration would tackle the economic drivers of insecurity through job creation, agricultural revival and expanded opportunities for young Nigerians while maintaining zero tolerance for terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors.

“The Tiv people entrusted me with the title of Zege Mule U Tiv II because they believe leadership must offer protection in times of danger. That belief has guided my public life, and it will guide my presidency. Nigeria does not need a President who merely mourns the dead after every massacre. Nigeria needs a President who protects the living”, he declared.

Atiku’s latest intervention adds to the sustained political exchanges between the opposition and the Tinubu administration over the country’s security challenges. The statement also comes amid renewed scrutiny of the Federal Government’s implementation of the 2026 budget following Senator Monguno’s recent concerns over fiscal management, revenue distribution and funding for critical security institutions.