Ismaeel Aleem
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a scathing response to United States President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” on 31 October 2025, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of catastrophic failure in protecting citizens amid escalating violence.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC paid tribute to thousands of victims killed since Tinubu took office in 2023, emphasising that insecurity transcends tribe, religion, or region.
“Nearly 15,000 lives have been lost to sundry violent activities,” the party claimed, citing sacked communities, slaughtered worshippers, and bandits controlling territories while levying taxes with impunity.
The opposition highlighted a resurgence of Boko Haram once declared “technically degraded” and the emergence of new threats, including an attack claimed by Al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM in Kwara State on the same day as Trump’s announcement.
This incident, the ADC said, underscores an “existential crisis” imperilling all Nigerians, not a targeted ethnic or religious persecution.
“One life lost that could have been saved is one death too many,” the statement asserted, rejecting the reduction of deaths to statistics.
Criticising Tinubu for refusing to acknowledge worsening insecurity, the ADC lambasted the government for excuses, silence, and indifference.
It pointed to structural failures, including the absence of ambassadors to key countries over two years into the term, despite boasted revenue successes.
Foreign policy, the party alleged, has become personalised around the president’s image rather than national interests.
Nigeria’s declining regional stature was another focal point, with the ADC blaming Tinubu for ECOWAS’s fracturing and loss of leadership on democratisation and security.
“Smaller countries watch us fumble aimlessly with our own domestic crisis,” the statement read, linking these to incompetence and arrogance.
Had the administration prioritised action over propaganda, the ADC argued, it could have documented attacks, pursued justice, sought help, and rallied citizens potentially averting international scrutiny.
The party proposed urgent reforms: an independent audit and overhaul of security apparatus; immediate ambassador appointments; a foreign policy reset focused on national interest via ECOWAS, the African Union, and UN; economic measures for price stability, inflation control, and social welfare; and an end to institutional personalisation for accountable governance.
While appreciating Trump’s concern and that of other leaders, the ADC urged translation into support for Nigeria’s democracy and self-reliance, warning that military intervention or threats would harm unity and stability.
“Nigeria is not beyond saving, but time is running out,” the statement concluded. “We must act now, with courage, clarity, and a commitment to protect the lives and dignity of every Nigerian.”
