The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against focusing on the 2027 general elections at the expense of addressing Nigeria’s worsening security and economic challenges.
The warning was issued on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, where the caucus expressed concern over rising insecurity, deepening economic hardship, and what it described as attempts to weaken democratic opposition ahead of the next presidential election.
Speaking on behalf of the caucus, the Minority Leader, Hon. Fred Agbedi, said Nigeria was grappling with a “dangerous combination” of crises that demanded urgent government intervention.
“Nigeria is facing a dangerous combination of worsening insecurity, economic hardship and attempts to undermine democratic opposition,” Agbedi said.
He cited the recent death of retired General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of bandits as evidence of the deteriorating security situation across the country. Describing the incident as a national tragedy, Agbedi noted that several senior military officers had also lost their lives in the fight against insurgency and other criminal activities.
The Minority Leader further highlighted the continued captivity of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, describing their ordeal as a stark reminder of the insecurity confronting ordinary Nigerians.
“As we speak, schoolchildren and their teachers abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity. Their crime? Going to school in Nigeria,” he said.
The caucus also criticised a recent Federal High Court judgment seeking the deregistration of some political parties, arguing that the move could undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Agbedi specifically faulted the ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, alleging that it was aimed at weakening legitimate opposition parties.
“We consider Justice Lifu’s judgment as a calculated attempt to muscle legitimate opposition out of the race for the 2027 presidency,” he stated.
The lawmakers warned against any action capable of restricting political competition, stressing that democracy thrives when all legitimate political parties are free to operate and participate in the electoral process.
According to the caucus, efforts to weaken opposition parties could erode public confidence in the credibility and fairness of future elections.
The Minority Caucus therefore urged President Tinubu to focus on governance, security and economic recovery rather than political calculations ahead of the next election cycle.
Agbedi said Nigerians expected decisive action to tackle insecurity, kidnappings, killings and economic hardship, insisting that the protection of lives and property must remain the administration’s top priority.
“The lives of our citizens, including security personnel and innocent schoolchildren, must take precedence over political strategy,” he said.
