THE Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Frederick Agbedi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for not personally visiting Oyo State following the abduction of dozens of students and teachers, arguing that the President should consider stepping down if he cannot effectively tackle the country’s worsening security challenges.
Speaking during an appearance on *Politics Today* on Channels Television on Wednesday, the Bayelsa lawmaker expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity and questioned the President’s level of engagement with communities affected by violent attacks.
When asked whether President Tinubu should resign over the persistent security concerns across the country, Agbedi responded that leadership requires accountability and decisive action.
According to him, if the President is unable to guarantee the safety of Nigerians, resigning should be an option.
Agbedi also referenced Tinubu’s recent visit to Plateau State following deadly attacks in the area. He argued that the President’s brief stop in Jos did not adequately demonstrate solidarity with victims, noting that the President cited operational limitations at the airport before departing shortly afterward.
Drawing a comparison with the situation in Oyo State, Agbedi questioned why Tinubu did not travel to Ibadan despite being in Lagos around the time of the abduction. Instead, he noted, the President delegated the visit to top government officials, including the National Security Adviser.
More than 40 students and teachers were kidnapped in Oyo State last month, an incident that sparked widespread outrage across the country and triggered several protests demanding urgent government intervention.
In response to the abduction, President Tinubu dispatched a delegation comprising his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, and other senior officials to engage with stakeholders in the state.
The President also assured Nigerians that efforts were underway to secure the release of the victims, stressing that terrorism and criminality would not be tolerated in the country.
However, over a month after the incident, the abducted students and teachers remain in captivity, heightening public concern and criticism of the government’s response.
Several groups, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers, civil society organisations, and social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, have staged demonstrations calling on authorities to intensify rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of the victims.
Following the incident, the minority caucus in the House of Representatives issued a six-month ultimatum to the Federal Government, urging it to significantly improve the nation’s security situation or face increased political pressure over its handling of insecurity.
