The NDC Coalition Alliance Network (NDC-CAN) has criticised recent comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Nigeria’s security situation, accusing him of selective historical interpretation and political inconsistency.
In a statement signed by its National Co-Chairman, Zakari Burra, the coalition said while it acknowledges the seriousness of the country’s security challenges, it was necessary to address what it described as “selective historical framing” in Atiku’s remarks following the death of a former lawmaker in captivity.
The coalition maintained that Nigeria’s insecurity did not emerge in recent years but is the result of decades of evolving threats, institutional weaknesses, and governance failures spanning several administrations.
According to NDC-CAN, it was politically misleading for public figures to isolate present security failures without acknowledging the historical roots of the crisis during periods they held public office.
The group noted that Atiku served as Vice President between 1999 and 2007, a period it said witnessed the early emergence of violent extremism in the North-East, increasing communal clashes, armed robbery, and weaknesses in intelligence coordination.
“While no administration can be solely blamed for Nigeria’s complex security evolution, public discourse should reflect continuity of responsibility rather than selective amnesia,” the statement said.
The coalition further argued that leaders who once occupied the highest levels of executive authority should not completely distance themselves from the foundations of current challenges while positioning themselves as critics of present efforts.
NDC-CAN also raised concerns about internal democracy within opposition political structures allegedly linked to Atiku over the years, including within the People’s Democratic Party.
The coalition stressed that healthy democracy requires transparent internal party elections, equal opportunities for aspirants, reduced personality-driven leadership structures, and genuine inclusiveness.
It warned that without such principles, criticism of national governance could appear politically selective rather than institutionally driven.
The group called on political leaders across party lines to contribute constructively toward resolving the country’s security challenges instead of engaging in blame politics.
“Nigeria’s security crisis requires cooperation, not political hostility. Constructive opposition must be anchored on honesty, historical awareness, and policy-based alternatives,” the statement added.
The coalition reiterated that security challenges in Nigeria are multi-generational and require collective responsibility, insisting that leadership credibility is strengthened by consistency, accountability, and transparent engagement.
NDC-CAN reaffirmed its commitment to national stability, democratic accountability, and constructive political participation, stressing that Nigeria’s future should be built on honest reflection, inclusive leadership, and shared responsibility among political actors.
