ADC Strongly Condemns Maiduguri Bomb Blasts, Asks Tinubu To Return Home

ADC strongly condemns Maiduguri bomb blasts, asks Tinubu to return home – says President should focus less on politics.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the bomb blasts that struck Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday night leaving 23 people dead and hundreds others injured. In a statement issued on Tuesday by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed sympathy with the victims and their families.

The ADC also raised concerns about what it described as a lack of leadership focus at a critical moment, noting that President Bola Tinubu is currently outside the country while senior officials responsible for national security are reportedly engaged in partisan political activities. According to the ADC, the protection of lives and property must take precedence over political distractions and diplomatic ceremonies. It therefore calls on President Tinubu to urgently return to the country and attend to his primary job of protecting lives.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns the bomb blasts that have shaken Maiduguri, Borno State, leaving innocent Nigerians dead and many others injured.

Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the people of Maiduguri, a city that has endured more than its fair share of pain over the years. Terrorism anywhere in Nigeria is an attack on all Nigerians. At moments like this, the country must stand together with the people who have been affected.

We commend the courage of first responders and security personnel who are working to assist the injured and restore calm. But this tragic incident also raises the persistent questions about the state of security in our country. Maiduguri, which in recent years had begun to experience a measure of stability after the darkest days of the insurgency, should not be returning to a situation where coordinated bomb attacks once again threaten the safety of ordinary citizens going about their daily lives.

Moments like this demand the full and undivided attention of the nation’s leadership. It is therefore troubling that the President is currently outside the country at a time when such a serious attack on national security occurred.

At a time when Nigerian soldiers and civilians are being wilfully killed by terrorists, those charged with protecting the country are focused on politics of self-succession. The National Security Adviser is going after opposition figures and calling bandits his “brothers”, while the Minister of Defence is on television planning the APC national convention. This is not leadership. It is a dangerous distraction, and it is costing lives.

In case this government has forgotten, those being killed by terrorists are not just numbers. Those soldiers being mowed down by bandits are people’s children, husbands, fathers and families. In any serious country, a devastating security breach would command the full attention of government. Leaders would return home, address the nation, and take responsibility.

Instead, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is abroad, exchanging pleasantries with the King and Queen of England while Nigerians mourn and soldiers are being buried. Not a word has been spared for the victims or the brave soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of Nigeria. The oath of office is clear, the primary duty of government is the protection of lives, and that duty is certainly not being met by this APC government.

Bandits

The protection of lives and property is the most basic responsibility of any government. It cannot be treated as secondary to political distractions or competing priorities. The ADC therefore calls on President Tinubu to return immediately to the country and show, for once, that he cares about something else other than his politics.

We also think it is about time that government started to take full responsibilities for every life lost that could have been protected by paying compensation to the families of victims, whether military or civilians. Although no amount of money can fully compensate for a lost life, but by penalising itself this way, government would have started to accept responsibility.

It is no longer enough for government to merely issue condolences and condemnations. It is its first job to protect lives. And Nigeria cannot continue on a path where the loss of lives becomes routine.

We are only in the third month of the year, and already thousands of Nigerians have been k1lled in violent attacks across the country, while the President continues to make merry, enjoying the sweetness of the only thing he truly cares about: politics. This is unacceptable, as it is condemnable.

Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi National Publicity Secretary African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Boko Haram’s Suicide Bombings In Maiduguri Barbaric, Says Governor Zulum

Governor Babagana Zulum has condemned the bombings in parts of Maiduguri on Monday evening, describing the explosions as cruel and cowardly.

Governor Babagana Zulum has condemned the bombings in parts of Maiduguri on Monday evening, describing the explosions as cruel and cowardly.

Mr Zulum, currently in Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj, expressed sadness over the incident, which he said targeted innocent people during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement by his spokesman, Dauda Iliya, the governor called for increased vigilance and heightened security measures, particularly in places of worship and other public areas.

“I am deeply saddened by the explosions that occurred in parts of the metropolis on Monday evening. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane,” Mr Zulum said.

He noted that the recent surge in attacks might be linked to ongoing military operations against insurgents in Sambisa Forest and other hideouts.

Bandits

The governor, however, assured residents that the military and other security agencies were on top of the situation and had put in place adequate measures to prevent further security breaches in Maiduguri and across the state.

Mr Zulum urged residents to remain calm, continue their lawful activities, and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.

A Painful Moment Of The Effium-Ezza Effium Conflict: NELAN Engineers Tragedy

The attention of the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has been drawn to the protest that occurred today by persons identified as family members and sympathizers of the late engineers of NELAN Consulting Engineers.

First and foremost, the Honourable Minister acknowledge the deep pain that comes with the loss of loved ones. The death of the NELAN engineers remains a painful tragedy. No family deserves such grief, and the Honourable Minister understands the weight of that loss. As Governor of Ebonyi State at the time, Senator Umahi shared in that pain and treated the matter with the seriousness it deserved.

For the purpose of clarity and public record, it is important to emphasize that the incident occurred on November 3, 2021.

The unfortunate disappearance of the engineers occurred at the height of the violent Effium vs. Ezza Effium communal conflict, a crisis that consumed lives and properties and threw the area into severe insecurity. The engineers were not singled out in isolation; they were victims of a wider conflict that tragically claimed many lives during that period.

Immediately the information about the incident reached the then Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, CON, he swiftly mobilized security agencies and launched intensive search and investigative efforts to determine the whereabouts of the engineers and bring the perpetrators to justice.

He personally visited the incident site with security operatives and was directly involved in the search efforts. He never treated the matter lightly and never looked away from the responsibility of the state to pursue the truth.

These efforts led to the arrest of individuals involved in the dastardly act. Those arrested confessed to committing the crime, and they have remained in custody since then. The matter is still before the court, and the judicial process continues even after Senator Umahi left office as Governor.

It must therefore be clearly understood that the government under Senator Umahi did not abandon the matter, suppress it, or fail to act. Swift investigative actions were taken, arrests were made, and the suspects were handed over to the justice system, where the case continues to be prosecuted.

The Honourable Minister wishes to reiterate that he never wished for such a tragedy to occur. The communal violence that engulfed Effium at the time created a dangerous environment that sadly led to the loss of many innocent lives, including the NELAN engineers. As Governor then, he worked tirelessly to restore order and address the conflict that had devastated the area.

David Umahi

While the Minister sympathize deeply with the families and understand their grief, it is important that public discourse on this painful matter remains guided by facts and the ongoing judicial process.

Senator Engr. David Umahi remains committed to justice, truth, and the rule of law, and he continues to pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and for strength for their families.

Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
March 16, 2026