ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stinging condemnation of Wednesday’s bomb blast at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, characterising the attack as a direct result of the Federal Government’s inability to secure the nation.
In a formal statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the main opposition party described the explosion at Gamboru Market as “totally unacceptable” and a chilling example of Nigeria’s deteriorating security landscape under President Bola Tinubu.
A Failure to Protect
The PDP argued that the primary duty of any administration is the safeguarding of its citizens, a standard it claims the current government has “failed woefully” to meet.
“The news of the explosion in Maiduguri is another tragic reminder of the rising insecurity that has become the daily reality for Nigerians,” the statement read. “The bare minimum any government should provide is the protection of life and property. Rather than resorting to empty rhetoric and playing politics with security, this administration must rise to the occasion.”
The party extended its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, asserting that no individual should be at risk of death while performing their religious duties.
A Threat to Religious Freedom
The opposition also warned of the broader implications of targeted attacks on places of worship. The PDP suggested that if such incidents remain unchecked, they could erode the constitutional right to freedom of religion and foster a climate of fear that threatens the nation’s social cohesion.
The PDP’s Key Demands:
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Practical Measures: Moving beyond “political promises” to deploy visible and effective security.
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Festive Vigilance: Urgent protection for citizens during the Christmas and New Year period.
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Accountability: A transparent strategy from both the Federal and Borno State governments to forestall future breaches.
Background to the Blast
The condemnation follows reports that suspected insurgents detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a mosque in Gamboru Ward during evening prayers on Wednesday.
The Borno State Police Command, through spokesperson ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed that the blast killed five worshippers and left approximately 35 others with various degrees of injury. The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, coming at a time when security forces are already on high alert for the festive season.
