By Clement Abayomi
A lawyer and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s administration as “incapable” of solving Nigeria’s security challenges.
Okonkwo, who spoke on Channels Television, criticised Tinubu for proceeding with a state visit to the United Kingdom despite recent deadly bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State.
His criticism responded to coordinated terror attacks in Maiduguri, which reportedly killed 23 people and injured many others.
Okonkwo argued that Tinubu should have cancelled his trip to the UK to honour the victims of the attacks.
He suggested that by travelling to London, Tinubu was “dancing” on the “graves” of the martyrs and soldiers who lost their lives.
He noted that a cancellation would have sent a clear message to the world that the Nigerian government respects the blood of its citizens.
He maintained, “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.”
Okonkwo expressed further disappointment that both Tinubu and the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, left the country together during a security crisis.
He also described Vice President Kashim Shettima’s attendance at a swearing-in ceremony in Anambra State during the same period as embarrassing.
He said, “Why go with your minister of defence? Why would the vice president be celebrating in Anambra State? I can’t believe it. I feel embarrassed.”
According to Okonkwo, such actions damage the morale of military personnel who need to feel recognised and supported by their leaders.
He also accused the Tinubu-led government of being corrupt and politicising security matters.
He maintained that the administration lacks the capacity to fix the nation’s safety issues, noting that the problem is spreading across the country.
“. . . I tell you that Tinubu is incapable of solving the security problems and that is why it is metastasising all over the nation.”
Okonkwo explained that the government has failed to put enough security forces on the ground or punish criminals.
He added, “. . . hunger and hardship is increasing . . . criminality is not being punished”. These further destabilise the nation.
