ADC Under Fire Over ‘Dangerous Politicisation' of Security Challenges

Coalition-backed party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has come under severe criticism over an alleged opportunistic and inflammatory commentary on Nigeria’s current security challenges.

The Citizens for Secure Nation (CSN), a public-safety and accountability group, issued a strongly worded statement in Kaduna on Thursday, warning that the ADC’s recent comments on national security were “opportunistic, inflammatory and irresponsible.”

CSN president, Alhaji Musa Danladi Maikawa, said the ADC had crossed “a troubling line” by making sweeping allegations about government complicity in ongoing insecurity.

According to him, the party’s rhetoric appeared crafted to undermine public confidence in security agencies and fuel public anxiety at a time when communities are under severe pressure from banditry and kidnapping.

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“We cannot allow a political party to weaponise the pain of grieving families for narrow advantage,” Maikawa said. “Nigeria is going through a difficult period, and what we need is constructive engagement — not reckless commentary that undermines the morale of security personnel risking their lives every day.”

Maikawa criticised the ADC’s portrayal of recent rescue operations, describing it as unfair to the military, police and intelligence units who have “intensified coordinated action across multiple theatres.”

He warned that suggesting security forces were collaborating with terrorists was “dangerous rhetoric” capable of eroding trust, feeding extremist propaganda and discouraging cooperation between communities and authorities.

“These claims are being made without a shred of verifiable proof,” he said.

Reacting to the ADC’s objection to recent school closures in high-risk areas, the coalition insisted the decisions were based on security assessments and were never signs of government capitulation.

Maikawa argued that countries around the world temporarily shut down facilities when credible threats arise, stressing that federal and state governments were already implementing a phased security reinforcement plan to enable a safe reopening.

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“It is irresponsible to suggest the government is surrendering to terrorists simply because it has taken precautionary action to prevent children from being harmed,” he added.

CSN urged opposition parties to prioritise national interest in their public statements and avoid fuelling panic or misinformation.

Maikawa called for unity, intelligence sharing and a calmer communication environment as Nigeria confronts violent criminal groups.

“The lives of citizens should never be used as political currency,” he said.

The coalition added that it would continue monitoring political commentary and push back against narratives that deepen fear or distort the complexity of ongoing security operations.

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