Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo Central Senatorial District, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign due to the worsening insecurity across Nigeria. He made this call following the reported abduction of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members traveling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. The abduction occurred when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
The abduction has been described as unacceptable, particularly since the victims were young Nigerians traveling to serve their country under the NYSC scheme. Ajadi emphasized that it is ridiculous and unreasonable for corps members to be kidnapped while traveling to contribute to the development of their country. He urged President Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue the abducted corps members, stressing that their safe return should be treated as a matter of national urgency.
The abductors are reportedly demanding N50 million for each of the 19 victims, amounting to N950 million. Ajadi expressed concern that this demand would place the affected families under severe financial and emotional pressure. He called on the government to take decisive action to secure the victims' release while strengthening security arrangements along major highways used by prospective corps members and other Nigerians traveling between states.
Ajadi believes that the persistent security challenges across the country demonstrate that the Federal Government needs to adopt more decisive measures to protect lives and property. He stated that if the corps members are unable to be rescued, then President Tinubu should resign. According to Ajadi, it is barbaric for the President to continue in office while some of his citizens are in the den of kidnappers.
Furthermore, Ajadi urged Tinubu not to seek re-election in 2027 if his administration cannot find effective solutions to the country's security challenges. Instead, Ajadi suggested that the President should resign and allow another administration to take responsibility for addressing the insecurity confronting Nigerians. He emphasized that Tinubu should not bother to contest in the 2027 general election.
Ajadi also urged security agencies to sustain their search-and-rescue operations until all the abducted prospective corps members are safely reunited with their families. He appealed to Nigerians to remain vigilant and provide useful information to security agencies that could assist in rescuing the victims and preventing further attacks on people traveling across the country.
The APM candidate's call for Tinubu's resignation and questioning of his 2027 bid have sparked a renewed debate about the government's handling of insecurity in Nigeria. As the situation continues to unfold, Nigerians are eagerly awaiting a resolution to the crisis and a plan to prevent future attacks.
Key points
- Ajadi calls for President Tinubu's resignation due to worsening insecurity.
- The abduction of 19 prospective NYSC members has sparked outrage and concern.
- Ajadi questions Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid, citing inability to address security challenges.
