After Borno Ambush Kills General, 17 Soldiers, Lawyer Tells Tinubu: “Resignation Is Not a Taboo
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Legal practitioner Maduabuchi Idam has publicly called on President Bola Tinubu to consider stepping down from office, arguing that the federal government’s inability to stem the tide of escalating violence has rendered the current administration ineffective.
In a strongly-worded statement released on Saturday, Idam declared that resignation is an honourable path for any leader who finds the protection of citizens increasingly impossible to guarantee.
The lawyer’s remarks come in the wake of a devastating ambush in Borno State that claimed the lives of Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah and 17 soldiers, an incident that has reignited national outrage over the government’s security strategy.
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“Resignation Is Not a Taboo”
Idam dismissed the notion that stepping down constitutes political failure, insisting instead that it reflects a recognition of one’s limitations in the face of overwhelming national crisis.
“Resignation is not a taboo,” Idam stated. “It is a legitimate and honourable option for any leader who campaigned on promises of security but now finds the nation slipping deeper into chaos. The President said he was prepared for this job. The evidence on the ground suggests otherwise.”
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Outdated Security Template Under Fire
The legal practitioner took specific aim at the administration’s military approach, which he described as a “doctrinal security template” inherited from previous governments and ill-suited to modern asymmetric warfare.
“We are fighting drones and satellite-coordinated insurgents with manual combat and conventional troop movements,” Idam argued. “The bandits and terrorists have evolved. The government has not. Until we deploy a technology-heavy strategy—drones, CCTV networks, and real-time satellite surveillance—we will continue to bury soldiers and civilians alike.
Legal Redress Looms Over IDP Neglect
Beyond the critique of military tactics, Idam expressed grave concern over the government’s treatment of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who now number in the millions across Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and beyond.
He warned that if the state continues to fail in its constitutional duty to protect lives and property, affected citizens may have no choice but to seek legal redress against the Federal Government for the violation of their fundamental rights.
“You cannot displace millions, fail to protect them, and expect silence forever,” Idam cautioned. “The courts may soon be asked to determine whether the government has abdicated its primary responsibility.”
ADC Joins Chorus of Condemnation
Idam’s call echoes a recent statement by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) , which accused the Tinubu administration of prioritising political maneuvering over the protection of Nigerian lives.
The ADC’s criticism followed the same Borno ambush that claimed General Braimah and his men—a loss the opposition party described as “a painful reminder that those at the top are distracted by 2027 while soldiers die in the trenches.”
What Next?
While the presidency has yet to respond directly to Idam’s resignation call, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has repeatedly maintained that the current administration is making unprecedented investments in military hardware and intelligence gathering.
However, with the death toll among senior military officers rising—and public patience wearing thin—pressure continues to mount on President Tinubu to demonstrate tangible results in the fight against insurgency and banditry.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as reactions from the presidency and civil society emerge.
