Rotimi Amaechi calls for Bola Tinubu’s resignation over insecurity concerns

Former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign, citing what he described as the government’s failure to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Amaechi made the call in a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, arguing that any administration unable to guarantee the safety of lives and property has forfeited its legitimacy to remain in power.

“If a government cannot guarantee the safety of its people, then it has no right to remain in power,” he said. “President Tinubu should resign. He has failed woefully to perform his basic responsibility.”

His remarks came in the aftermath of multiple bomb explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where coordinated attacks at a market, a hospital, and a public infrastructure point reportedly left at least 23 people dead and several others injured.

Amaechi described the incident as a reflection of deeper systemic failures in governance and security, accusing the administration of being unprepared to tackle the scale of the threat. He further criticised what he characterised as a pattern of official responses that fail to match the urgency of the crisis.

The presidency had not issued an official response to the former governor’s comments as of the time of reporting.

Criticism reflects growing political pressure over insecurity

Amaechi’s statement adds to a growing wave of criticism directed at the federal government over persistent insecurity across different parts of the country.

In his remarks, the former minister of transportation accused the administration of complacency, arguing that repeated attacks and rising casualties have become a daily reality for many Nigerians. He said the situation has left communities in fear while families continue to grapple with loss and displacement.

He also criticised what he described as a disconnect between political leadership and the lived experiences of citizens, alleging that those in power have failed to demonstrate sufficient urgency in addressing the crisis.

“How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken?” he asked, framing the question as a broader reflection of public frustration with the pace of government response.

While his comments were sharply critical, they also underscore the increasing role of political actors in shaping the national conversation around security, particularly as Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle.

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Security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East and banditry in other regions, have remained central issues in public discourse, often influencing both policy debates and political alignments.

Government response and broader security context

Although the presidency has yet to respond directly to Amaechi’s remarks, the federal government has previously maintained that efforts are ongoing to address security challenges through coordinated military and intelligence operations.

Authorities have also pointed to investments in security infrastructure and inter-agency collaboration as part of a broader strategy to curb violence and restore stability in affected regions.

However, incidents such as the recent attacks in Maiduguri continue to raise concerns about the effectiveness of these measures, particularly in areas that have experienced prolonged insecurity. Analysts say such attacks highlight the evolving tactics of armed groups and the need for sustained and adaptive responses from security agencies.

Beyond the immediate security implications, the exchange reflects a deeper political dimension, as public officials and opposition figures increasingly weigh in on governance issues ahead of the next election cycle.

Amaechi’s call for resignation, while unlikely to translate into immediate political action, signals intensifying scrutiny of the administration’s performance and could contribute to shaping public opinion in the months ahead.

As Nigeria continues to navigate its security challenges, the balance between political accountability and policy execution remains a central issue, one that is likely to define both governance and political debates in the lead-up to future elections.