Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of “partying in London while Nigeria burns,” as he slammed the administration’s handling of insecurity following the deadly bombings in Maiduguri.
Amaechi, in a statement released on Tuesday by his media office, condemned the Monday night attacks, describing the Tinubu-led government as “abysmally incompetent” and lacking the basic leadership required to safeguard lives and property.
Commiserating with families of the victims, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said Nigerians cannot continue to mourn while the government “lives lavishly and ostentatiously” without taking decisive action to end insecurity.
“This government is killing Nigerians. I repeat, President Tinubu’s government is killing Nigerians, literally destroying lives. He has failed in the most sacred duty of protecting the lives of the citizens of this country.
“The Monday bombings in Maiduguri are not just a tragedy; they are a damning indictment of a leadership that has grown complacent, incompetent, and indifferent to the suffering and death of Nigerians caused by ravaging bandits,” he stated.
Amaechi lamented that the government is ignoring the plight of citizens and failing to take concrete steps to curb worsening insecurity.
“While families mourn and communities live in fear, those in power issue hollow statements and make empty promises. In fact, now they don’t bother to make promises anymore. They just move on as if nothing happened. Tinubu would rather be dining and partying in London while Nigeria burns. They just don’t care.
“How many more lives must be lost before they admit their failure? How many more communities must be shattered before decisive action is taken? Insecurity has become the daily reality of ordinary citizens, yet the government continues to stumble, unprepared and unwilling to confront the menace with the seriousness it demands.”
He added that Nigerians deserve “safety, peace, and dignity, not negligence and continued excuses,” stressing that leadership must be defined by responsibility and action.
“If those in power cannot guarantee that, then they have no business clinging to authority. Right now, this government has abandoned that responsibility, and the nation is paying the price,” he said.
Amaechi also empathised with the people of Borno State and families of the victims, whose lives he said were “shattered because the government failed to protect them,” declaring that “enough is enough” and calling on the President to resign.
On Monday evening, Maiduguri was rocked by multiple suspected suicide bombings that killed at least 23 people and injured 108 others.
The explosions occurred around 7:20 p.m., shortly after residents broke their Ramadan fast, a time when many people were gathered in public spaces.
The attacks struck several high-traffic locations, including the Monday Market (El-Kanemi) roundabout, the Post Office Flyover, and the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), with reports of another blast in the Kaleri area.
President Tinubu condemned the attacks as “barbaric” and directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri. Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, also visited victims in the hospital and urged residents to remain calm and vigilant.
