‘This government is killing Nigerians’ — Amaechi criticises Tinubu over Maiduguri bombings

Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s government over the multiple bomb blasts that rocked Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on Monday night.

On Monday, 23 people were killed, with over 100 injured, after bombs went off at a popular market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover in the capital of the north-east state.

In a statement by his media office on Tuesday, Amaechi accused the current administration of persistent failure to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

The former minister of transportation described the government as “abysmally incompetent” and lacking the basic leadership skill set to protect Nigerians.

“Nigerians cannot continue to mourn and live in fear while Tinubu and his lackeys at the helm of affairs in the country live lavishly and ostentatiously while failing to take decisive action to put an end to the raging insecurity,” the statement reads.

“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 his citizens.

“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 sufferings and deaths of Nigerians from ravaging bandits.”

Amaechi stressed that while families mourn and communities live in fear, those in power have continued to 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,” he said.

“How many more lives must be lost before they admit their failure? How many more communities must be shattered and destroyed before they take decisive action?

“Insecurity has become the daily reality of ordinary citizens, and yet the government continues to stumble, unprepared and unwilling to confront the menace with the seriousness it demands.”

The former governor stated that Nigerians deserve safety, peace, and dignity, not negligence and continued excuses, adding that if those in power cannot guarantee that, then they have no business clinging to authority.

According to him, leadership is not about rhetoric but responsibility, action, and making the right decisions for the good of the people.

“Right now, this government has abandoned that responsibility, and the nation is paying the price,” Amaechi said.

He condoled the people of Borno state, the victims of the bombings and their families, adding that the president should resign, as “he has failed woefully to perform his basic responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians”.

Amaechi insisted that the people will not be silenced, nor will they accept living in continued fear.

“One day, the people will rise and resist incompetence and reclaim their right to live in peace and safety. Only then will the government realise that the people’s voice is stronger than bombs and failed leadership,” he said. (The cable)