Opposition Parties Condemn Nigeria’s Ascension to Fourth Most Terrorism Affected Nation in Global Ranking

ADC and PDP blame the Tinubu administration for Nigeria's rise in the Global Terrorism Index, citing a 43 percent increase in attacks and leadership failures.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 20, 2026, 5:46 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP Media Group

Governance Failure Cited in Global Terrorism Index Surge

The political opposition in Nigeria has characterized the nation's current security standing as a definitive indictment of the President Bola Tinubu administration. According to statements from both the ADC and the PDP, the findings of the Institute for Economics and Peace reveal a catastrophic breakdown in national security management. The Global Terrorism Index 2026 highlights a significant escalation in violence, noting that Nigeria now accounts for a massive surge in deaths, marking the highest annual increase recorded globally. Opposition leaders argue that these rankings are not merely academic data but represent a tangible failure of the executive branch to uphold its primary constitutional mandate.

Escalating Frequency and Lethality of Armed Attacks

Data sourced from the international report indicates a sharp rise in the volume of terror incidents, growing from 120 attacks in 2024 to 171 the following year. Bolaji Abdullahi, representing the ADC, noted that this 43 percent increase in hostilities has led to a heavy concentration of casualties, particularly within Borno State. The party alleged that while established groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province remain potent, the emergence of new militant factions is further complicating the domestic security landscape. This proliferation of armed actors suggests that current military and policing strategies are failing to contain the geographical spread of extremist violence.

Criticism of Leadership Absence During National Crises

A central theme of the political backlash involves the perceived detachment of the nation's top security officials from the deteriorating situation on the ground. The ADC specifically criticized the President, the National Security Adviser, and the Minister of Defence for being out of the country during periods of heightened national grief and insecurity. According to the party, this creates a stark contrast between a population living in fear and a leadership tier that appears geographically and emotionally removed from the crisis. The opposition contends that effective security requires a visible and present command structure that can respond to the evolving nature of domestic threats in real time.