By Ikenna Osuoha
A House of Representatives member, Rep. Philip Agbese, has faulted recent call by the Minority Caucus of the House for President Bola Tinubu to resign due to security concerns in parts of the country.
Agbese said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
The lawmaker, who is a member of the Labour Party (LP) and Deputy Spokesperson of the House, was reacting to comments credited to the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Fred Agbedi.
Agbedi was recently quoted in some media to have urged President Tinubu to either resolve the nation’s security and economic challenges or resign from office.
But Agbese described such call as politically motivated and unhelpful to efforts aimed at addressing the insecurity problem.
The lawmaker, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue, said tackling insecurity requires collective national responsibility and stronger collaboration with security agencies.
He argued that calls for the president’s resignation at a time security forces were intensifying operations against criminal elements across the country amounted to playing politics with national security.
According to him, the security situation in the country, though challenging, cannot be addressed through inflammatory statements or partisan attacks on the government.
“The issue of insecurity is a national challenge that requires the collective support of all Nigerians.
“What we need at this critical time is partnership with our armed forces and security agencies and not rhetoric designed to score political points.”
Agbese maintained that members of the opposition should channel their energies towards supporting security institutions and offering practical solutions rather than making calls capable of undermining ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability.
“I am afraid the leader of the minority who is yet to settle down to work has jumped into a narrow conclusion.
“That points to being adversely maneuvered from outside the parliament by forces interested in President Tinubu’s job for 2027. Some of us in the opposition will not accept that,” he said.
He noted that security challenges confronting Nigeria predated the current administration and requires sustained commitment, intelligence gathering, improved funding and cooperation among all stakeholders.
Agbese noted that the House of Representatives had recently invited the Security Chiefs for an interaction on the security challenges in the country which will take place soon.
The Benue lawmaker commended members of the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and other security operatives for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
He urged Nigerians to rally behind the military and security agencies, stressing that public confidence and support were essential to winning the war against insecurity.
Agbese also expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the country’s security challenges, noting that the administration had continued to invest in security operations and strengthen the capacity of security agencies.
He called on political leaders across party lines to place national interest above partisan considerations and work together to confronting the security threats facing the country.
He said lasting peace and security can only be achieved through unity, cooperation and a shared commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)