The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of showing favoritism in the country’s security response, alleging that northern communities affected by insecurity have not received the same level of attention as some parts of southern Nigeria.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Kano State Chairman of the party, Hon. Musa Ungoggo, the ADC reacted to the recent rescue of 40 abducted persons in Oyo State and the approval of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security in the area.
The party said it welcomed efforts to save lives and improve security in any part of Nigeria. However, it argued that the speed and scale of the federal government’s intervention in Oyo State stood in sharp contrast to what it described as inadequate responses to recurring security challenges in Northern Nigeria.
According to the statement, communities across several northern states have suffered years of attacks by bandits, terrorists, and other armed groups. The party cited incidents in Plateau, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger states as examples of areas that have experienced serious loss of lives and property.
The ADC recalled the Christmas Eve attacks in Plateau State, the military drone strike in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, and the abduction of schoolchildren in Kuriga, among other incidents. It said many affected communities continue to face insecurity despite repeated appeals for stronger federal intervention.
The party alleged that some local government areas in parts of the North have remained under the influence of armed groups, while farmers and residents continue to face threats to their safety and livelihoods.
Hon. Ungoggo stated that the situation has created concerns among many northerners who feel that their security challenges are not receiving the same urgency as crises in other parts of the country. He argued that equal treatment of all regions is essential for national unity and public confidence.
The ADC further accused the federal government of operating what it described as a discriminatory security structure, claiming that security resources and emergency interventions were not being distributed fairly across the country.
The party questioned why large-scale security measures, including the recruitment of forest guards and deployment of specialized security units, had not been implemented in forests and rural areas across northern states facing persistent attacks.
It therefore called on the Federal Government to extend similar security measures to frontline states in the North. The party urged authorities to deploy additional tactical units and recruit more forest rangers to strengthen security in vulnerable communities.
The statement also called for a comprehensive review of security strategies to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their location, receive equal protection and attention from the government.
The ADC concluded by urging the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address insecurity across Northern Nigeria and restore public confidence in the country’s security architecture. The party said lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through fairness, equal treatment, and effective protection of all citizens.