Tinubu Incapable of Solving Security Problems — Kenneth Okonkwo Slams UK Visit
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to proceed with a state visit to the United Kingdom despite deadly terrorist attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Okonkwo described the trip as disrespectful to the victims and soldiers killed in Monday’s coordinated bombings that left at least 23 people dead and over 100 injured.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, he accused the president of “dancing on the graves of fallen Nigerians.”
“It’s about telling the world that you prefer to respect the blood of your martyrs to riding on their blood and dancing on their graves in the United Kingdom. That red carpet there is the blood of the martyrs that Tinubu is treading upon. He should have cancelled it, cancelled it without equivocation,” Okonkwo said.
He added that cancelling the trip would have shown Nigerians and the international community that the president values the lives of citizens and the sacrifices of the military.
Okonkwo also questioned why Minister of Defence Christopher Musa accompanied Tinubu while Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the inauguration of Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
“Why go with your minister of defence? Why would the vice president be celebrating in Anambra State? I feel embarrassed. The death of one military man is a hit to a nation because their morale is boosted when you recognise them,” he said.
Okonkwo further accused the Tinubu administration of politicising security and doubted the president’s ability to tackle the nation’s insecurity.
“Tinubu is incapable of solving the security problems and that is why it is metastasising. Ungoverned spaces, hunger, hardship, increasing criminality—all remain unaddressed,” he said.
Meanwhile, following presidential directives, Nigeria’s service chiefs, including Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede and Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, have arrived in Maiduguri to address the security situation.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
