Explosive Atiku Claims: Monguno's Revelations Unmask Tinubu's Failure as Nigerians Suffer!

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has asserted that recent statements by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, a senior lawmaker from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have revealed the detrimental consequences of the Tinubu administration’s fiscal mismanagement, directly linking it to the escalating insecurity across Nigeria. This position was conveyed in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. Atiku emphasized his inability to remain silent while "innocent Nigerians continue to perish under a government that appears to have normalised bloodshed."

According to Atiku, Senator Monguno's revelations serve as a vindication of the opposition's long-standing concerns regarding budget implementation, security funding, and fiscal transparency. He noted that for months, the APC had dismissed such concerns as mere politics. Now, a ranking senator from their own party has echoed the very questions Nigerians have been asking. Atiku highlighted that Senator Monguno not only questioned budget implementation but specifically why duly enacted budgets are allegedly not being faithfully implemented. More critically, Monguno reportedly questioned why trillions of naira generated by the Federation are being retained instead of being distributed constitutionally, and why crucial security agencies have allegedly not received capital releases despite the worsening security crisis.

Atiku stressed that these are not mere allegations from the opposition but "grave constitutional questions raised by a distinguished senator of the ruling party." He argued that if security agencies are denied funds appropriated by law for essential equipment, intelligence, logistics, and operations, the government cannot absolve itself of responsibility for the resulting security failures. He posed a critical question for Nigerians to consider after every massacre: "were our security agencies given the resources approved by law to prevent it?" He further questioned how gallant security personnel are expected to defeat terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers when funds appropriated for their equipping are allegedly withheld.

The former vice president claimed that independent conflict monitors estimate over 17,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent attacks since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, with thousands more abducted by various criminal groups. He powerfully stated, "These are not mere statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, farmers, students and breadwinners whose lives have been cut short. Behind every number is a family condemned to a lifetime of grief."

Atiku also referenced the traditional title of Zege Mule U Tiv II, conferred upon him on May 27, 2001, by the Tiv Area Traditional Council under the late Tor Tiv IV, His Royal Majesty Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, during his tenure as vice president. He described this honour as a "sacred covenant" that mandates leadership to provide shelter in fear, protection in danger, and hope during community attacks, serving as a constant reminder that the primary duty of leadership is protection, not merely power. He clarified that a Zege Mule acts as a shield, standing between the people and danger, providing refuge.

The ADC presidential candidate drew an ironic parallel, noting that President Tinubu, while in opposition, frequently criticized former President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity, yet now presides over what Atiku termed an "even more troubling security situation." Atiku recalled Tinubu's past declarations that the first responsibility of any government was the protection of lives and property, and his unsparing criticism of the Jonathan administration during attacks. "Today, Nigerians are asking him to meet the same standard he demanded of others. Sadly, what they have witnessed instead is what many now describe as a ‘Sidon Look’ Presidency—one that appears content to issue condolences after every massacre instead of preventing the next one," Atiku stated.

Outlining the priorities of an ADC administration if he were elected president, Atiku pledged to ensure that "every naira appropriated for national security is released promptly and accounted for." His proposed strategies include restoring intelligence-led policing, deploying modern surveillance technology, strengthening border security, improving inter-agency coordination, fully equipping and motivating security personnel, and establishing an effective community-based early warning system to preempt attacks. Furthermore, he committed to confronting the economic drivers of insecurity by creating jobs, reviving agriculture, and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians, while maintaining "zero tolerance for terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and those who finance them."

In conclusion, Atiku reiterated that the honour bestowed upon him by the Tiv people continues to shape his understanding of leadership, guiding his public life and prospective presidency. He firmly stated, "The Tiv people entrusted me with the title of Zege Mule U Tiv II because they believe leadership must offer protection in times of danger... Nigeria does not need a President who merely mourns the dead after every massacre. Nigeria needs a President who protects the living."