Abuja, Nigeria – The Peoples Democratic Party, Nigeria’s primary opposition political group, has strongly criticised the federal government of Nigeria over its handling of national security. This reaction follows the country’s placement as the fourth most impacted nation in the 2026 Global Terrorism Index.
The comprehensive report, published on Thursday, March 19, 2026, by the Institute for Economics and Peace, highlights the Sahel region of Africa as the new global epicentre of terrorism. The data reveals that the region accounted for nearly half of all global terrorism fatalities in the year 2025, marking the third consecutive year it has held this position.
Within Nigeria, the statistics point to a severe deterioration in safety. The country recorded 750 deaths caused by terrorism in 2025, representing a 46 percent surge compared to the previous year. Okay News reports that Nigeria, along with four other nations, is now responsible for almost 70 percent of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide.
Ini Ememobong, the National Publicity Secretary for the Peoples Democratic Party, released a statement on Thursday afternoon at approximately 5:17 PM West African Time (WAT, GMT+1), placing the blame firmly on the ruling All Progressives Congress and its leadership.
“The just-released Global Terrorism Index 2026 by the Institute for Economics and Peace indicates that our country, under the leadership of the APC-led government, has infamously earned a fourth position in the world on the impact of terrorism survey,” Ememobong stated.
The opposition spokesperson stressed that the rising violence has deeply affected communities across the West African nation. The party argues that the failure to secure the country has allowed a shadow economy of violence to thrive, which they estimate to be worth ₦1 trillion (about $666 million).
“This global report aligns with the daily lived reality of Nigerians, who are now more insecure than they have ever been in this Fourth Republic. In fact, under President Tinubu’s watch, insecurity has not just become very lucrative; it has attained a trillion-naira economy status,” Ememobong added.
Looking forward, the opposition is demanding immediate and structural changes from President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s military hierarchy. The party insists that the government must move away from merely issuing statements after tragedies occur.
“We call on the President and the entire security hierarchy to stop performing reactive responses that have defined post-attack communications and rather adopt a whole-of-society approach towards solving insecurity,” the statement read. The party concluded by urging the immediate implementation of policies designed to halt the violence and build a foundation for long-lasting, voluntary peace among all citizens.
