No basis for second term bid if security fails, Bugaje tells Tinubu government

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

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—protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Tuesday, Bugaje said the worsening security situation across the country raises serious questions about the government’s performance and its quest for a second term in office.

“In terms of insecurity, I feel this government should be ashamed of itself. They should come out and apologise to Nigerians for not being able to provide security. I am amazed that they have the audacity to even seek another term,” he said.

The former lawmaker described insecurity as the nation’s most pressing challenge, noting that attacks, kidnappings and killings have continued to spread across different parts of the country.

According to him, reports that more than 30 traditional rulers in the South-West no longer sleep in their palaces because of security threats underscore the gravity of the situation.

“We have seen reports that over 30 Obas do not sleep in their palaces because several of them have been attacked, kidnapped or put in harm’s way. That speaks volumes about the insecurity in this country,” he stated.

Bugaje also expressed concern over reports that Nigerians paid over N2.2 trillion in ransom to criminal groups between 2023 and 2024, arguing that the figures demonstrate the growing financial strength of criminal networks.

“I remember the National Bureau of Statistics released a report showing that over N2.2 trillion was paid to bandits as ransom within one year. What that means is that Nigerians are paying more in ransom than the national security budget itself.

“If the state allocates less money to security than what bandits collect from victims, then the bandits are in a position to have more resources than the state. It means the state has been defeated,” he said.

The SDP chieftain lamented that many farmers in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states, have abandoned their farmlands due to persistent attacks and fear of abduction.

He warned that the situation poses a significant threat to food production and national stability.

“Farmers can no longer go to their farms. In Southern Katsina, where much of the maize and grain production takes place, many people are afraid to cultivate their lands because of insecurity,” he noted.

Bugaje also recalled the case of a prominent farmer who was reportedly abducted, paid a ransom of N500 million and was later killed by his captors.

“They collected the money and still killed him. It means that criminal elements now operate with confidence because the state has failed in its responsibility,” he said.

He maintained that there could be no justification for the government’s inability to address the security crisis, insisting that security remains the primary constitutional responsibility of any administration.

“I cannot see any excuse for this government not performing its constitutional duty. For me, there is no point asking for another term if they have failed in this regard,” he declared.
Responding to claims by some government officials that insecurity is being exaggerated to discredit the administration, Bugaje dismissed such assertions.

“I laugh at that kind of argument because it is obvious that this government has not shown the political will to go after these criminals,” he said.
Raises Concerns Over Alleged Links Between Officials and Bandits
Bugaje further alleged that some government officials and political actors maintain questionable relationships with criminal groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria.

Referring to the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who reportedly died in captivity after spending two weeks in the hands of his abductors, Bugaje claimed that recorded conversations exist suggesting close interactions between some local officials and bandit leaders.

“There were conversations between a local government chairman and the leader of the bandits involved in the incident. I listened to the recordings and they sounded like people who knew each other very well,” he alleged.

The former lawmaker also recounted an incident in his hometown of Bugaji in Katsina State, where local youths involved in community self-defence allegedly apprehended armed suspects and handed them over to the police.

According to him, the youths were later arrested and detained after a bandit leader reportedly complained that one of his firearms was missing.

“The youths were arrested and detained on behalf of a bandit leader because he claimed that one of his guns had not been returned. It was an unbelievable situation where the state appeared to be defending the bandit,” he alleged.

Bugaje also referenced previous allegations made against the Minister of State for Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, claiming that there had been reports linking him to dealings with bandits.

“Go to the records of the current Minister of State for Defence and see how many times he has been accused of working with bandits. There were allegations that he supplied vehicles and other items to them when he was governor, and people still claim he maintains relationships with them.

“How can you bring such people into the defence architecture of the country?” he queried.

He insisted that the persistence of banditry and other forms of criminality reflects not only the scale of Nigeria’s security challenges but also what he described as a lack of political will to confront those allegedly involved in supporting criminal networks.

Bugaje concluded by urging the government to take decisive action to restore public confidence, protect communities and fulfil its constitutional obligation of guaranteeing the security and welfare of Nigerians.