Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to shift the blame for the insecurity and the worsening economic conditions on Nigerians and the media.
Atiku’s reaction followed the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga’s comments that media reportage often gave the impression that insecurity had spread across the entire country.
Onanuga who spoke on ARISE TV also said that many of the kidnapping and attack incidents happened at night when security agencies warned Nigerians against traveling.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the comments implied that citizens could only expect safety for a limited period each day.
“Is the Presidency accepting that Nigerians can only be safe for a few hours of the day? “Did he?” Atiku asked.
“Is this an official declaration that the largest economy in Africa has been reduced to an eight hour economy where citizens must shutter their businesses, abandon legitimate travel and retreat indoors once the sun goes down?”
The former vice-president said citizens should not be blamed, when they are attacked while travelling or doing lawful business, insisting that the burden of protecting lives and property is on the government and security agencies.
“A trader going from Kano to Lagos, a businessman coming from Abuja to Kaduna, a farmer taking produce to market, or a family going on a legitimate journey should not be blamed when criminals attack them,” he said.
“The responsibility is where it should be – with those who are responsible for securing the country.”
Advising Nigerians to avoid movement after certain hours could not be a substitute for addressing insecurity, Atiku warned, adding that it would undermine trade, travel and economic activities.
‘You cannot have a successful country when its people are told that safety ends at sunset,’ he said.
The ADC presidential aspirant also blamed the Presidency for blaming media narratives for reports of insecurity and hardship, saying journalists were reporting what citizens had been going through.
“To blame journalists for reporting insecurity and hardship is like blaming a thermometer for a fever,” said Atiku.
He said that many households are under pressure due to rising food prices, inflation, unemployment and a decline in purchasing power, and called on the government to focus on solutions rather than explanations.
“Nigeria does not want explanations for suffering. Nigeria needs answers. Nigeria does not need to be lectured on perception. Nigeria needs results,” he added.
