The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a scathing critique of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s reported plans to reintegrate hundreds of so-called repentant terrorists into society.
The Party labeled the approach as a dangerous failure of judgment and a sign of a government that does not fully grasp the nature or scale of the threat it faces.
In a press statement released on Sunday, the ADC expressed alarm over reports of the reintegration plans, particularly when viewed alongside a pattern of official remarks that have described these individuals as “brothers” and “prodigal sons.”
The party asserts that such language and policies, which appear to prioritize rehabilitation over accountability, are not acts of compassion but rather indicators of weakness.
“Terrorism is not a family dispute. It is not a moral metaphor. It is a sustained and organised campaign of violence against the Nigerian state and its people,” the statement read.
It emphasizes the devastating impact of terrorism on lives, communities, and the nation’s security and economic stability.
The ADC argues that responding to such a threat with softened language and policies that seemingly bypass justice is a grave misstep.
The opposition party characterized the government’s approach as, at best, “confusion dressed up as policy,” and at worst, “a dangerous policy of political appeasement that compounds the tragedy of victims of terror.”
They highlighted the apparent contradiction between the government’s claim of prosecuting a war against terror and eagerness to reintroduce insurgents without clear processes for justice, transparent standards for genuine repentance, credible safeguards for affected communities.
“This is not balance. It is a dangerous failure of judgment and political accommodation taken too far,” the ADC declared.
The party warned that a govt treating terrorists as “errant family members” is dangerously soft on terror and incapable of defeating its enemies.
They stressed that reintegration without justice is not reconciliation but injustice
and facilitation, sending a perilous signal to victims and potential future terrorists alike.The ADC further criticized the Tinubu administration for failing to address fundamental questions regarding the reintegration process.
It pointed out the lack of information on who has been investigated, prosecuted, or deemed safe for reintegration, as well as the absence of clarity on monitoring systems post- release and consultation with affected communities.
“In the absence of these answers, what is being presented as a strategy begins to look like abdication, if not collaboration,” the statement concluded.The ADC reiterated belief that terrorism is existential threat to Nigeria, advocating for an approach rooted in clarity, accountability, and competence.
The Party affirmed that those who have committed grave crimes must face the full weight of the law, asserting that justice is non-negotiable in a law- governed society.
The party emphasized that the safety of
Nigerian communities and the rights of victims must be central to any national response, urging the administration to avoid mixed signals in a fight that demands discipline and resolve.
“National security is not a guessing game, and it is not a space for sentiment to override judgment”, while added that it requires leadership who understands the stakes and is prepared to act with firmness and clarity.
