Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticised Nigeria’s top security officials for accompanying President Bola Tinubu on a recent trip to the United Kingdom amid rising insecurity at home.
The ADC chieftain specifically faulted the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for being part of the presidential delegation during a period of violent unrest in the country.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Rhodes-Vivour expressed outrage over what he described as a lack of urgency and empathy from the nation’s security leadership.
He pointed out that while the officials were overseas attending a state function, a deadly bomb explosion struck Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
According to him, the timing of the trip raised serious concerns about the government’s priorities. He argued that it was inappropriate for key security figures to be abroad “enjoying tea” while lives were being lost back home.
Rhodes-Vivour emphasized that the incident, which reportedly claimed over 20 lives and left many others injured and displaced, highlighted what he sees as a disconnect between the government and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
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The criticism comes in the wake of the Maiduguri blast, which occurred shortly before President Tinubu’s departure for the UK, further intensifying public scrutiny over the administration’s handling of national security.