Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on Muslim organisations across Nigeria to join the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in demanding urgent action to address the country’s worsening security situation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Atiku said he had read the communiqué released by CAN, led by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, following the 2026 National Church Leaders Summit, and expressed solidarity with the concerns raised by the Christian body over the safety of Nigerians.
The former presidential candidate endorsed CAN’s demand for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency collaboration, enhanced operational effectiveness, and greater accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and violent crime.
According to Atiku, the recommendations align with his long-held position that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has failed to adequately address the country’s security challenges.
He commended Christian leaders from various denominations and blocs for what he described as a “spiritual wake-up call” to the nation’s political leadership.
“It is encouraging for Nigerians to see Christians from various denominations and blocs unite in this spiritual wake-up call upon the political leadership to do better,” he said.
Atiku specifically acknowledged the participation of groups including the Catholic Secretariat, the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN), the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, and the TEKAN/ECWA bloc. He said CAN’s declaration of a three-day national mourning period should serve as a time of reflection for political leaders, particularly those currently in power.
The former vice president argued that insecurity continues to affect Nigerians regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation and urged all citizens to support efforts aimed at holding the government accountable.
He also appealed to Muslim organisations to lend their voices to the campaign for improved security.
“I enjoin other faith organisations, especially those of the Muslim bloc, to lend their voices to this wake-up call,” Atiku stated.
Speaking on behalf of the political opposition and Nigerians concerned about the country’s security situation, Atiku urged President Tinubu to heed CAN’s appeal and take decisive action.
He called on the president to move beyond rhetoric and carefully consider measures that would address the nation’s security challenges during the remainder of his tenure.
CAN had earlier raised concerns over the state of insecurity in the country during its 2026 National Church Leaders Summit and called for urgent reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.
About The Author
