Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the recent bomb blasts in Maiduguri.
The attacks, which occurred on Monday, left at least 23 people dead and more than 100 others injured after explosions hit a market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media office, Amaechi accused the federal government of failing in its primary responsibility to protect citizens.
“Nigerians cannot continue to mourn and live in fear while Tinubu and his lackeys at the helm of affairs in the country live lavishly and ostentatiously while failing to take decisive action to put an end to the raging insecurity,” the statement reads.
He described the government as “abysmally incompetent” and lacking the leadership required to address insecurity.
“This government is killing Nigerians. I repeat, President Tinubu’s government is killing Nigerians, literally destroying lives. He has failed in the most sacred duty of protecting the lives of his citizens.
“The Monday bombings in Maiduguri are not just a tragedy; they are a damning indictment of a leadership that has grown complacent, incompetent, and indifferent to the sufferings and deaths of Nigerians from ravaging bandits.”
Amaechi said while citizens continue to suffer and mourn, those in power have responded with “hollow statements and empty promises.”
“In fact, now, they don’t bother to make promises anymore. They just move on as if nothing happened. Tinubu would rather be dining and partying in London while Nigeria burns. They just don’t care,” he said.
He questioned how many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken, warning that insecurity has become a daily reality for many Nigerians.
“How many more lives must be lost before they admit their failure? How many more communities must be shattered and destroyed before they take decisive action?”
The former minister added that Nigerians deserve safety and dignity, stressing that leadership requires responsibility and action, not rhetoric.
“Right now, this government has abandoned that responsibility, and the nation is paying the price.”
Amaechi also called on the president to resign, insisting that the administration has “failed woefully” in its duty to protect lives and property.
He expressed condolences to the people of Borno State, particularly victims of the attack and their families, and warned that citizens may eventually rise against poor governance.
“One day, the people will rise and resist incompetence and reclaim their right to live in peace and safety. Only then will the government realise that the people’s voice is stronger than bombs and failed leadership,” he said.
