The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s attendance at the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State, describing it as ill-timed and insensitive amid a surge in terror attacks across the country.
The UNESCO-listed festival, which had been on hiatus for six years due to insecurity and funding challenges, was resumed during Tinubu’s one-day visit on Saturday, where he also inaugurated new projects. Speaking at the event, the President claimed that progress against insecurity in Kebbi and other regions was a result of sustained security investments.
However, the ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned the visit, citing rising terror activity in Kwara State. The party highlighted that in just 41 days, nearly 1,300 Nigerians had been killed, with hundreds, including nursing mothers and children, still in captivity.
“The ADC is deeply concerned that, amid worsening insecurity, the President attended a fishing festival while innocent Nigerians suffer the brunt of terror attacks,” the statement said.
The party further noted the emergence of a video reportedly released by terrorists regarding abductions in Kaiama Local Government Area, challenging official figures. Recent attacks in Patigi Local Government Area have intensified fears that terrorists are consolidating control and potentially using parts of Kwara State as a safe haven.
ADC Calls for Urgent Federal Government Action
The ADC urged the Federal Government to:
Launch a coordinated rescue operation to free all abducted citizens.
Issue a transparent public briefing clarifying discrepancies in the number of kidnapped victims.
Conduct an urgent security audit of the Kaiama and Kainji Lake forest corridor.
Strengthen interstate security coordination across Kwara, Niger, and Oyo States to halt terrorist movement.
Maintain regular and credible public communication to counter terrorist propaganda.
“The Kaiama axis connects directly to Oyo State. Any sustained insurgent activity could create vulnerabilities across the North Central and South West, making this a national security priority,” the statement added.
The party warned that terrorists increasingly view kidnapping as a commercial enterprise, and disguising ransom payments as rescue operations risks incentivizing future attacks.
The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to holding the Federal Government accountable and supporting all genuine efforts to reclaim Nigeria’s territories from terror actors.
