A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, has criticised recent calls for the resignation of President Bola Tinubu, describing them as politically motivated and counterproductive to national security efforts.
Agbese made his position known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
The lawmaker was reacting to comments attributed to the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, which reportedly urged the President to resign if he could not effectively tackle insecurity in the country.
Agbese, who represents the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State under the Labour Party (LP) and serves as Deputy Spokesperson of the House, said such calls undermine ongoing efforts by security agencies.
He argued that insecurity should not be politicised, especially at a time when security forces are intensifying operations against armed groups across the country.
According to him, Nigeria’s security challenges require unity and collaboration, not divisive political statements.
The lawmaker stressed that tackling insecurity is a shared national responsibility involving government institutions, security agencies, and citizens.
“The issue of insecurity is a national challenge that requires collective support from all Nigerians,” he said.
He added that political actors should focus on offering solutions and supporting security agencies rather than engaging in what he described as “political attacks.”
Agbese also called on opposition leaders to prioritise national interest over partisan politics, urging them to support ongoing security operations.
He maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges predate the current administration and require long-term strategies, including improved intelligence gathering, funding, and inter-agency cooperation.
He further alleged that some political statements may be influenced by external interests ahead of the 2027 elections
The lawmaker commended the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, intelligence agencies, and other security operatives involved in combating terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
He also reaffirmed his confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing insecurity, noting ongoing investments in security infrastructure and operations.
Agbese urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies to strengthen national stability.
