Nigeria has once again been thrown into mourning. The abduction of students in Kebbi State, the gruesome murder of a school Vice Principal, and the killing of a Brigadier General in the Nigerian Army are not isolated tragedies; they are a damning reflection of a nation trapped in a cycle of insecurity that seems to worsen by the day. These tragedies reaffirm a painful reality: terrorism has become an unchecked scourge, and Nigeria appears increasingly like a country unable to protect its citizens.

Terrorism in all its forms must be condemned without reservation. The blood of innocent children, educators, and security personnel should never be the price of being Nigerian. But beyond condemnation, there must be accountability. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all stakeholders saddled with the duty of securing lives and property must answer for this continued collapse in national security.

It is shameful that at a time when the country desperately needs leadership focused on stabilizing the economy, rebuilding trust in public institutions, and safeguarding the lives of citizens, the President seems more occupied with decimating opposition voices, celebrating political defections, and oiling the machinery for a second-term ambition. Governance is being traded for political gamesmanship while terrorists run wild and innocent Nigerians pay with their lives.

A President who cannot guarantee security has failed in his most sacred constitutional duty. And if incapacitation (whether by incompetence, distraction, or misjudgment) has made it impossible to prioritize the fight against terrorism, then stepping aside becomes a patriotic option. Nigeria needs a leader who is competent, proactive, and genuinely committed to protecting the nation, not one obsessed with silencing critics or strengthening his political fortress.

This moment calls for courage; not just from those in power but from the Nigerian people, especially the youth. Elections must no longer be determined by tribal loyalties, religious sentiments, or blind partisanship. The future of this country depends on choosing leaders who value human lives over political victories. The coming elections must count, and it is the responsibility of Nigerian youth to ensure that they do.

Nigeria is bleeding. But it is not beyond redemption, if we choose leaders who put the nation first and if we, as citizens, refuse to normalize the killings, kidnappings, and the government’s indifference toward them. The time for pretence is over. The time for accountability is now.