The Minority Caucus of Nigeria’s House of Representatives has accused the Federal Government of neglecting governance, worsening insecurity, and attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly on Wednesday, June 17, Minority Leader Fred Agbedi said the country was facing a growing crisis marked by insecurity, economic hardship, and alleged efforts to undermine democratic opposition.
The caucus expressed outrage over the reported death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State and later confirmed dead while in captivity. Describing the incident as a national tragedy, Agbedi said the development reflected a deeper failure of the state to protect its citizens.
“That a general of the Nigerian Army, who once commanded troops and defended this nation, could be kidnapped alongside his wife and later declared dead under unclear circumstances is a grave indictment of a failed state,” he said.
Lawmakers said the incident underscored worsening insecurity across parts of the country, noting that other military personnel have also been killed in ongoing counterinsurgency operations. They called on President Bola Tinubu to present a clearer and more effective strategy to tackle banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.
The caucus also raised concern over the continued captivity of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their release. Agbedi said the situation highlighted the daily risks faced by Nigerians.
On the political front, the lawmakers criticised a recent Federal High Court ruling ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five opposition political parties. They argued that the judgment could destabilise the political system and potentially weaken opposition participation ahead of the next election cycle.
Agbedi alleged that the ruling contradicted an earlier Court of Appeal decision and ignored INEC’s submissions regarding the affected parties’ electoral performance. He described the judgment as “a calculated attempt to muscle legitimate opposition out of the race for the 2027 presidency.”
The caucus welcomed the Court of Appeal’s intervention, which halted the enforcement of the lower court’s decision.
They also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency of prioritising political calculations for 2027 over urgent national issues such as insecurity, economic hardship, and public welfare.
Among their demands, the lawmakers called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, a transparent investigation into the abduction and death of General Rabe, and intervention by the Chief Justice of Nigeria to resolve conflicting judicial decisions on political party registration.
The Minority Caucus further urged President Tinubu to suspend election-related activities and focus instead on a proposed six-month National Security and Economic Recovery Plan. They pledged continued legislative oversight and vowed to resist any attempts to sideline opposition parties in the democratic process.
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