Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a scathing statement condemning the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba by terrorists, describing the incident as a stark indication of failing political leadership under President Bola Tinubu.
In a post shared on his verified social media handles on Sunday, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed profound shock at the circumstances surrounding the senior officer’s death and criticised the military high command for what he called an initial attempt to deny the facts.
“I am deeply saddened and extremely shocked and disturbed by news making the rounds of the killing of Brig. Gen. Musa Uba by terrorists and the failure of the military hierarchy to clearly explain how it happened or what went wrong, as initial official denials indicated that this was not the case,” Atiku wrote.
The former vice president went further, pointing an accusing finger directly at President Tinubu, whom he accused of prioritising the suppression of political opposition over his constitutional duties as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“This for me is unequivocally a failure of political leadership as the President seems only more interested in decimating the opposition by all means possible, while forgetting his crucial role as Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces,” he stated.
Describing General Uba’s death alongside those of troops under his command as “one death too many,” Atiku warned that the incident signalled a dangerous resurgence of terrorism that Nigeria could ill afford.
In a direct appeal to the President, Atiku demanded decisive action: “The security of the lives of our people is your primary responsibility and you must live up to it or be humble enough to admit incompetence and either ask for help or resign.”
Outlining what he would do differently, the former vice president declared: “If I were President, I would order the military to occupy Borno State or any state under siege by bandits or armed groups until they clear those areas. We must care enough for the men and women who put their lives on the line for our sake.”
Atiku extended his condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the bereaved family, and the nation at large, urging citizens and military leaders to remain resilient while expressing hope that the current security challenges would soon pass.
The statement comes amid growing public concern over persistent insecurity in northern Nigeria, particularly in Borno State, the epicentre of the long-running Boko Haram insurgency and emerging threats from ISWAP terrorists. The military has yet to issue an official response to Atiku’s remarks at the time of publication.
