A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign from office instead of waiting to seek re-election in 2027, citing worsening insecurity and governance failures across Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Okonkwo made the urgent appeal following the recent overturning of a Federal High Court judgment that had previously deregistered the ADC. He argued that the judicial reversal was part of a broader effort to suppress opposition and ensure Tinubu’s re-election without genuine democratic contestation.
Okonkwo criticized the administration’s handling of national security, stating that insecurity has become a daily occurrence across the country. He pointed to recent massacres in Plateau and Benue states, as well as beheadings in Oyo, as evidence of the government’s failure to protect citizens. “When you want to give an example of insecurity, you don’t need to refer to yesterday because it’s a daily occurrence,” he said, emphasizing that the loss of life is irreversible and must be prevented, not merely addressed after the fact.
To underscore his point, Okonkwo shared a personal and harrowing experience involving his own worker. He revealed that the worker’s mother was kidnapped in Kaduna State, and when the ransom demand of hundreds of millions of naira could not be met, the kidnappers broke two of her fingers. “He is the only child of the mother,” Okonkwo said, expressing the deep emotional toll such incidents take on families and communities. He stressed that many such cases go unreported, hidden from public view but deeply felt by those affected.
The ADC chieftain linked these tragedies directly to the government’s performance, suggesting that President Tinubu’s leadership has led the nation into a state of crisis. He warned that by 2027, Tinubu may be forced to return to his former life in Bourdillion, a reference to his past life abroad, rather than being re-elected through democratic processes. “Is it in the area of insecurity? I told you when you want to give an example of insecurity, you don’t need to refer to yesterday because it’s a daily occurrence,” he reiterated, urging the president to step down voluntarily.
Okonkwo’s remarks come at a time of heightened political tension and growing public frustration over rising insecurity, economic hardship, and perceived government inaction. His call for Tinubu’s resignation reflects a broader sentiment among some opposition figures and citizens who believe the current administration is failing to deliver on its promises. As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, such voices may influence public discourse and shape the political landscape in the months ahead.
Leave a Comment