By Peace Udugba
Former member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Usman Bugaje, has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing in one of its most fundamental constitutional responsibilities, questioning the government’s suitability for a second term in office.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Bugaje said the worsening security crisis across the country demonstrates the government’s inability to protect lives and property despite being nearly midway through its tenure.
“In terms of insecurity, I feel this government should be ashamed of itself. They should come out and apologise to Nigerians that they have not been able to provide security. I am amazed that they even have the audacity to seek another term,” he said.
Assessing the state of governance, security and economic stability in Nigeria, Bugaje argued that insecurity remains the country’s most pressing challenge, noting that attacks, kidnappings and killings continue to spread across several regions.
He referenced reports of traditional rulers abandoning their palaces due to security threats, farmers being unable to access their farmlands, and the increasing frequency of abductions as evidence of a deteriorating security situation.
“We have seen reports that more than 30 traditional rulers in the South-West no longer sleep in their palaces because several of them have been attacked, kidnapped or otherwise placed in harm’s way. That speaks volumes about the insecurity in this country,” he said.
Bugaje also expressed concern over reports that Nigerians paid trillions of naira in ransom to criminal groups within a short period, arguing that such figures reveal the scale of the security challenge and suggest that criminal networks are becoming increasingly empowered.
“I remember the National Bureau of Statistics released figures showing that more than ₦2.2 trillion was paid as ransom between 2023 and 2024 alone.
That amount exceeds the national security budget. If the state is allocating less money to security than bandits are collecting in ransom, it suggests that these criminal groups have more resources than the state itself. That means the state is being defeated,” he said.
Citing incidents from parts of northern Nigeria, the former lawmaker, who represented the Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency in Katsina State between 2003 and 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lamented that many farmers have abandoned their farms due to fear of attacks.
According to him, the situation poses a significant threat to food production and national stability.
“Farmers can no longer go to their farms in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and many other places. In southern Katsina, where much of the country’s maize and grain production takes place, farming activities have been severely affected,” he said.
Bugaje recalled the case of a prominent farmer who was allegedly kidnapped, paid a substantial ransom, and was later killed by his abductors despite complying with their demands.
“One of the biggest farmers was abducted and reportedly paid ₦500 million as ransom. Yet, after collecting the money, they still killed him. That shows the extent to which the state has been defeated,” he lamented.
The former federal lawmaker insisted that there is no valid excuse for what he described as the government’s poor performance in tackling insecurity, stressing that security remains the foremost responsibility of any administration.
“I cannot see any excuse for this government failing to perform its fundamental constitutional duty. If it has failed in that responsibility, then it has no basis asking Nigerians for another term,” he said.
Responding to claims by some government officials that insecurity is being exaggerated to discredit the administration, Bugaje dismissed such arguments.
“I laugh at such statements because the reality is too obvious. This government lacks the political will to go after those responsible for these crimes,” he said.
Bugaje Cites Death of Retired General, Raises Concerns Over Alleged Links Between Officials and Bandits
Continuing his remarks on national security, Bugaje alleged that some government officials and political actors maintain questionable relationships with criminal elements operating across parts of northern Nigeria.
Referring to the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who reportedly died in captivity on June 13 after spending about two weeks in the hands of abductors, Bugaje claimed that available information points to troubling interactions between certain authorities and criminal groups.
“I can give you evidence from my own state, Katsina. There were recorded telephone conversations between a local government chairman and the leader of the bandits involved in that incident. I listened to those conversations, and they sounded like discussions between people who knew each other very well,” he alleged.
Bugaje also recounted an incident in his hometown, Bugaji, Katsina State, where local youths engaged in community self-defence reportedly apprehended armed suspects and handed them over to the police.
According to him, the youths were later detained after disputes arose over the number of weapons allegedly recovered from the suspects.
“The youths had informed the police before undertaking community protection efforts. They apprehended two individuals carrying sophisticated firearms and handed them over to the police. Yet, the youths themselves were later arrested and detained after a bandit leader reportedly complained that one firearm was missing. It was a very disturbing situation,” he claimed.
He further alleged that some public office holders, including the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, have previously faced accusations of maintaining links with bandits.
“Go through the public record and see how many times allegations have been made against the current Minister of State for Defence regarding relationships with bandits. These are issues that deserve serious scrutiny. How can people facing such allegations be entrusted with responsibility for national defence?” he asked.
Bugaje maintained that the persistence of banditry reflects not only security challenges but also what he described as a lack of political will to confront those allegedly involved in criminal activities.
The Federal Government and the individuals mentioned in the allegations have, at various times, denied any involvement with bandit groups. No court has found them guilty of the claims referenced by Bugaje.
