Atiku Urges Tinubu to Heed CAN’s Call on Insecurity, Kidnappings

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to heed the recommendations of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the worsening security situation in the country.

Atiku made the appeal on Wednesday in a post on his X handle while reacting to a communiqué issued by CAN after its 2026 National Church Leaders Summit.

The former Vice President expressed support for the concerns raised by the Christian body over the growing incidents of kidnapping and insecurity across the country.

CAN had earlier condemned the spate of abductions and called on Nigerian leaders to ensure the immediate release of schoolchildren and other victims kidnapped by gunmen.

Reacting, Atiku said the recommendations made by CAN were consistent with his long-held position on the need for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture.

“I have just read the communiqué released by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, under the leadership of His Grace Archbishop Daniel Okoh from the 2026 National Church Leaders Summit, and I align with the concern and sympathies of the Church in Nigeria over the security of the lives of Nigerians,” he wrote.

According to Atiku, CAN’s call for improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency collaboration, enhanced operational effectiveness and greater accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crime reflects the urgent steps needed to address the country’s security challenges.

“The demand for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, enhanced intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved operational effectiveness and greater accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crime are all fully in line with my position on the failure of the Tinubu-led Federal Government,” he stated.

The ADC presidential candidate commended CAN for what he described as a courageous effort to hold the government accountable and called on other faith-based organisations, particularly Islamic groups, to lend their voices to the demand for improved security.

“As insecurity ravages without concern for religious or ethnic differences, which have been made more glaring by the 360-degree failure of the incumbent government, I commend this noble effort to hold the ruling party accountable and encourage solidarity from all Nigerians in this regard.

“I enjoin other faith organisations, especially of the Muslim bloc, to lend their voices to this wake-up call,” he added.

Atiku further urged President Tinubu to carefully consider CAN’s recommendations and take decisive action to address the security challenges confronting the nation.

“On behalf of the political opposition whom Tinubu has ignored, as well as the Nigerian people, I urge Tinubu to listen to this urgent call from CAN and diligently ponder his courses of action beyond rhetoric, at least for his remaining months in office,” he said.