Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has attributed Nigeria’s deepening security challenges to the leadership failures of administrations that came after former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

During a courtesy visit by stakeholders from the Kogi East Senatorial District, led by former Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, Atiku expressed concern over the growing threat of terrorism and insurgency in the country. He emphasized that a lack of firm and purposeful leadership is largely to blame for the current state of insecurity.

In a video shared on his official Facebook page, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate stated:

“Nigeria’s leaders must take responsibility for the widespread insecurity. Leadership is about protecting lives — and we have seen a dangerous level of negligence.”

Recalling an incident from 2002, Atiku highlighted how the Obasanjo administration promptly addressed the early emergence of Boko Haram in Yobe State.

“When Boko Haram appeared in Yobe, President Obasanjo asked for my input. I recommended bringing in the Service Chiefs and giving them a deadline to act — or step aside if they couldn’t deliver. That’s how we tackled threats back then.”

Atiku criticized what he sees as a lack of urgency and compassion from later leaders, saying the failure to act while citizens are being killed reflects poor governance.

“How can leaders remain comfortable when lives are being lost daily? That kind of detachment is unacceptable anywhere in the world,” he added.

Boko Haram, which aims to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria, has been a major security threat since 2009. The insurgency has led to the deaths of over 40,000 people and forced nearly two million to flee their homes, mainly in the country’s northeast.

Atiku’s comments come amid renewed national concern over persistent security threats and highlight his continued advocacy for stronger, more accountable leadership in tackling Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.