The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that the closure of schools following attacks by terrorists, if undertaken, like many of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s quick-fix approaches to serious governance issues, would amount to a complete surrender to terrorists.
The PDP noted that the sole aim of the terrorists is to shut down schools and prevent children from obtaining formal education, which they declare forbidden.
It therefore charged the federal government to immediately fund and implement the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools anchored on community intelligence and quick security response, capable of anticipating and contending with attacks on schools.
These were contained in a statement by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP in which he stressed that Insecurity in schools will be a big disincentivisation for education in the country, especially in Northern Nigeria.
This was as the PDP declared that the series of terrorists’ attacks and kidnappings in different states within a week, was indicative of the alarming insecurity that has become the contemporary lived experience and new reality of Nigerians under the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Bola Tinubu government.
In the words of the opposition party; “At any time, government is unwilling, unable, or incapable of executing this primary role, such a government, must either ask for help (locally or internationally) or honourably resign, if it is sincere and responsible”.
The PDP however, urged the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive plan to combat the issue, as against resorting to a simplistic approach of closing schools in a bid to prevent further kidnappings and to score cheap political points, which it noted is quite characteristic of this administration.
The PDP stressed that the alarm is crucial, warning that closure of schools will certainly exacerbate the already challenging educational situation in Northern Nigeria, saying that according to UNICEF, the majority of the 18.3 million out-of-school children (10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the secondary level) in Nigeria reside.
Ememobong noted that the data not only paints a grim picture, but also mirrors the exact situation in Nigeria.
The PDP noted that under the APC-led Tinubu Administration, Nigerians have witnessed, especially in the last week, a spate of kidnappings in different states (25 students in Kebbi and 315 students and staff in Niger) in Northern Nigeria.
It said that each of the kidnappings left a trail of sorrows, tears, blood, fear, and deep anguish on the families of those affected and their communities.
The PDP noted that in response, different state governments in the affected region have taken disparate measures, while the federal government has yet to give any direction.
The PDP further said; “We are aware that the closure of schools in these areas is already being implemented by some state governments and is currently being contemplated by the Federal Government.
“If the schools are closed, the goal of the terrorists would have been inadvertently achieved.
“More troubling is the fact that when these unfortunate incidents happen, the administration’s response is usually lacklustre and unempathetic.
“For example, instead of the President visiting Kebbi and Niger States to meet and sympathise with the parents of the children who are in captivity, and to address the security personnel there, he merely directed the Minister of State for Defence to relocate to Kebbi.
“A juxtaposition of the contingents sent to the US Congress and the G-20 meeting with Matawalle’s lone envoy, exposes the levity with which the presidency treats this matter. This reaction is most insensitive and dismissive of the gravity of the problem by the APC-led Federal Government.
“We again remind the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the entire APC-led administration that the security of lives and property is the primary function of any government,” the PDP stated.
