School Abduction: Progressive Vision Movement Rejects Calls for Tinubu’s Resignation, Urges Focus on Solutions
School Abduction: Progressive Vision Movement Rejects Calls for Tinubu’s Resignation, Urges Focus on Solutions
The Progressive Vision Movement (PVM), a national socio-political advocacy group, has cautioned Nigerians against politicising the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers, insisting that the nation’s security challenges require collective action and practical solutions rather than blame games.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the President of the group, Omo Oba Gbadegeshin Alade, expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity in parts of the country and the continued captivity of innocent schoolchildren and their teachers.
The group noted that while citizens have the constitutional right to protest and demand accountability from elected leaders, it is unfair and historically inaccurate to attribute Nigeria’s long-standing security challenges solely to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the statement, security threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal violence have troubled Nigeria for decades and have persisted under successive administrations.
PVM recalled that Nigeria experienced some of its most devastating security crises under previous governments, including deadly terrorist attacks, mass kidnappings, attacks on military formations, the abduction of schoolchildren, and the unprecedented Abuja-Kaduna train attack that shocked the nation during the previous administration.
“The unfortunate reality is that insecurity did not start today. It has evolved over the years and requires a long-term, coordinated response from all levels of government, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and citizens,” the statement said.
The group expressed concern over growing calls on social media and during recent protests demanding the resignation of President Tinubu, describing such demands as politically motivated and unhelpful at a time when national unity is required.
Rather than engaging in accusations, the group urged Nigerians to channel their energy towards supporting security agencies, providing credible intelligence, strengthening community policing efforts, and demanding stronger security collaboration among federal, state, and local authorities.
PVM also reminded political leaders that state governments have critical responsibilities in maintaining security within their jurisdictions through effective coordination with security agencies, local vigilante groups, hunters, and community intelligence networks.
The organisation stressed that the immediate priority should be securing the safe release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers while implementing measures to prevent future attacks on educational institutions.
The group further called for increased surveillance around schools, improved intelligence gathering, deployment of modern security technology, and enhanced funding for security operations across vulnerable communities.
“We sympathise with the families of the abducted children and their teachers. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult period. However, this is not the time for political point-scoring. This is the time for unity, collaboration, prayer, and decisive action against criminal elements threatening our nation,” the statement added.
PVM urged Nigerians to learn from history and avoid selective judgments, noting that every administration has faced security challenges of varying degrees.
The group maintained that sustainable solutions to insecurity would only emerge through national cooperation, responsible leadership, community participation, and continuous support for ongoing security reforms aimed at restoring peace across the country.
It also renewed its earlier appeal to religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and community stakeholders to dedicate special prayers and advocacy efforts toward the safe return of all abducted victims and the restoration of peace and security nationwide.
