Tinubu Should Resign If He Can’t Protect Nigerians — Reps Minority Leader Agbedi

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has strongly criticized the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the worsening security situation in the country, insisting that a government that fails to protect its citizens has lost the moral basis to remain in office.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Agbedi accused the Federal Government of failing to stem the rising tide of kidnappings, killings and other violent crimes that continue to affect communities across Nigeria.

The lawmaker expressed particular concern over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, lamenting that weeks after the incident, the victims had not been rescued. He questioned the government’s response to the crisis and criticized President Tinubu for not visiting the affected area despite travelling to nearby Lagos State during the period.

According to Agbedi, the country is currently grappling with a combination of severe security challenges, economic hardship and what he described as growing political efforts aimed at weakening opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He argued that the first responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property, stressing that when an administration consistently fails in that duty, citizens and opposition figures have every right to demand accountability.

Drawing from his experience as a member of the 8th National Assembly, Agbedi recalled that he had similarly criticized the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari when insecurity escalated under his leadership.

“The duty and beauty of democracy is that if you are not able to give leadership to your nation, if your government fails, then both those in the minority and free citizens of the nation have a right to say either perform or quit,” Agbedi said.

The lawmaker lamented what he described as the declining value placed on human life in Nigeria, arguing that victims of violent attacks are often remembered only through symbolic gestures while little is done to prevent future tragedies.

He maintained that the continued wave of kidnappings, terrorist attacks and killings across various parts of the country demands urgent and decisive action from the Federal Government, warning that public confidence in leadership could continue to erode if the security situation does not improve.

Agbedi’s comments add to the growing debate over the government’s handling of insecurity, as opposition politicians, civil society groups and concerned citizens continue to call for stronger measures to address the country’s security challenges.