…Accuses opposition of conspiracy, urges full backing for Armed Forces
The member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/ Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, has rejected calls by the Minority Caucus for President Bola Tinubu to resign over insecurity, describing the demand as politically motivated and unpatriotic.
The Labour Party (LP) lawmaker who serves as Deputy Spokesperson of the House, in a statement in Abuja, said that insecurity requires national collaboration with security agencies, not “mere opposition rhetoric.”
He was reacting to comments by Minority Leader, Hon. Fred Agbedi, who recently urged President Tinubu to resolve security and economic challenges or step down.
According to Agbese, demanding the President’s resignation while security forces are intensifying operations amounts to playing politics with national security.
“The issue of insecurity is a national challenge that requires the collective support of all Nigerians. What we need at this critical time is partnership with our armed forces and security agencies, not rhetoric designed to score political points,” he said.
The lawmaker alleged that the resignation call was driven by political calculations ahead of the general elections rather than genuine concern for Nigerians.
“I am afraid the Leader of the Minority, who is yet to settle down to work, has jumped to a narrow conclusion that points to MPs being manoeuvred from outside parliament by forces interested in President Tinubu’s job. Some of us in the opposition will not accept that,” Agbese stated.
He argued that the call for Tinubu’s resignation “is not borne out of patriotism” but “appears to be part of a broader conspiracy by some political actors desperate to remove the President through every available means.”
Agbese noted that Nigeria’s security challenges predate the current administration and require sustained commitment, intelligence gathering, improved funding, and cooperation among stakeholders.
He disclosed that the House had invited security chiefs for an interaction on the security situation, which will be held soon.
The Benue lawmaker commended the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and other operatives for their sacrifices against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes.
He urged Nigerians to rally behind the military, saying public confidence was essential to winning the insecurity war.
“Our armed forces are making enormous sacrifices daily. Instead of demoralising them through political attacks, we should encourage them and provide the support needed for them to succeed,” he said.
Agbese expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to tackling security challenges and called on political leaders across party lines to place national interest above partisan considerations.
