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Opposition playing politics with lives of Nigerians-Yusuf Gadgi

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and member of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gadgi, has accused sections of the opposition of exploiting Nigeria’s security challenges for political gains ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmaker representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Plateau, appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, argued that while insecurity remains a serious national concern, some political actors appear more interested in using it to discredit the Federal Government than in offering practical solutions.

Responding to concerns that worsening insecurity could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects and the fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, the lawmaker dismissed suggestions that members of the ruling party should view the situation through a political lens.

“They have fallen into the hands of the opposition, who are playing politics with the lives of Nigerians. I’d say that without being afraid of anybody. If anybody from my party is thinking that this is what will consume the present administration, it means those people are not patriotic,” Gadgi said.

President Bola Tinubu. Photo credit: Presidency

“From the tune of those opposed to this government, I’d tell you that even if they are not the ones escalating it, they are happy about it—some of them, not all. From the tone of some people who are supposed to be leaders of this country, when they are talking about what Nigerians are passing through, you will see that they seem to appreciate the situation Nigeria is going through. Instead of lamenting and providing solutions, they tie it to the fact that the government is defective in solving the problem just to achieve some political gain,” Gadgi said.

The Plateau lawmaker questioned why insecurity appeared to have intensified as political activities ahead of the next general election begin to gather momentum.

“If you had asked me before this administration came in, President Bola Tinubu promised to fix the issue of insecurity, and, according to your understanding, he has failed to do that. But may I ask why the problem is being escalated to the point that we are facing electioneering?” he said.

Gadgi called on Nigerians to remain united and patriotic, stressing that citizens should hold the government accountable without turning national security into a political weapon.

His comments come amid heightened public concern over a series of deadly attacks across the country in recent weeks.

In May, bandits attacked communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State near Ogbomoso, abducting pupils and teachers while killing one teacher. Other incidents have also been reported in Borno and Kwara states, fuelling public criticism of the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity.

President Tinubu had on June 12, warned bandits, kidnappers and terrorists to surrender or “face the full force of the Nigerian state”, declaring that the window for surrender would not remain open indefinitely and that no mercy would be shown to those responsible for shedding the blood of Nigerians.

Many Nigerians continue to fault the government’s response, accusing it of relying on reactive measures and repeated warnings instead of taking decisive action to curb the insurgency.