By Chinonso Alozie

The Director‑General of the diaspora‑led Centre for Democratic Accountability (CDA), Ejike Ikezuagu, on Friday said insecurity in Nigeria did not start with the present administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Ikezuagu spoke in a statement to newsmen in Owerri, while reacting to a report that former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar was blaming the present administration of Tinubu on the ravaging insecurity in Nigeria.

The group argued that Atiku ignored the documented insecurity situations which started at the time he was the Vice President and what they were supposed to do that they failed to do to stop the spreading of insecurity. CDA described the statement as decietful.

It was the view of CDA that “Insecurity has been a persistent national issue, including during the period when Atiku Abubakar served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007. Public records from that era show that Nigeria experienced various forms of killings, violence, communal clashes, and criminal attacks across all geopolitical zones.”

He continued: “During that period, North East had insurgent‑related activities in parts of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. In the North West States such as Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Sokoto recorded banditry, village raids, killings and kidnappings. North Central, Benue, Plateau, and Niger witnessed farmers–herders clashes and communal violence.

There were attacks linked to separatist tensions and local armed groups in the South East. South West region experienced cases of kidnappings, killings, armed robbery, and clashes along major highways. Militancy, pipeline vandalism, and criminal gang activities affected several riverine communities in South South

“These incidents demonstrate a clear reality that insecurity has been a long-standing national issue, evolving over time and affecting every region in different ways. It did not start with the current administration, and it cannot be attributed to any single government or political figure.”

“Given this history, insecurity should not be used to mislead Nigerians, or to score political points. Public discourse must be grounded in facts, not narratives. Those who participated in previous governments, under which various forms of insecurity occurred should acknowledge this reality rather than present it as a new problem.

CDA remains committed to clarity, accountability and responsible civic education. Our focus is on helping Nigerians understand the issues, the policies, and the long-term structural challenges that shape national security,” the group’s Director General concluded.