Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pointed fingers at past Nigerian leaders for the resurgence of Boko Haram, asserting that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo effectively quelled the group’s initial rise through decisive action during his administration.
Atiku made these remarks during a meeting with stakeholders from Kogi East, led by former Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, in Abuja. He recalled that when Boko Haram first emerged in Yobe State in 2002, President Obasanjo sought his advice on how to tackle the threat. Atiku suggested a firm approach: giving the military a deadline to suppress the insurgency or face dismissal.
“That was how we handled it,” Atiku stated, emphasizing that the insurgency was effectively contained during their time in office, only to resurface later due to a lack of political will from subsequent leaders.
He criticized current leadership for their indifference towards the suffering of citizens, stating, “When they’re killing your citizens, how can you even eat? This is the greatest irresponsibility by any political leader.” Atiku holds the current and past administrations accountable for the ongoing insecurity in Nigeria.
Having served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, Atiku’s comments highlight a critical view of leadership effectiveness in combating terrorism and ensuring national security.
He expressed a commitment to holding leaders accountable for their inaction and called for a renewed sense of urgency in addressing the nation’s security challenges.
