By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

The House of Representatives minority caucus has urgently called on President Bola Tinubu to overhaul the nation’s security architecture.

The Minority Leader, Rep. Fred Agbedi, who made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, said:” Nigeria is bleeding”.

The lawmaker said that the life of every Nigerian matters and that politics must take the back seat to first secure the nation.

According to him, government exists primarily for the security and welfare of the people as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution.

The caucus condemned the horrendous murder of retired Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar while in terrorists’ captivity in Katsina State and the subsequent release of his wife under questionable circumstances.

The Reps caucus expressed condolences to the family of the victim and urged government to work out a pragmatic pathway out of the enduring quagmire.

The caucus leader also condemned the abduction of school children and their teachers in Oyo and demanded “an immediate, coordinated, no-ransom rescue operation for their release.”

“We call for an immediate overhaul of the national security architecture; though a state of emergency has been declared by the President since November 25, 2025.

“The nation requires funding on security intelligence, not propaganda, improve welfare for frontline troops, and not wildcards for appointees.

“We call for a launch a special military operation within 72 hours to rescue the school children and their teachers; no excuses, ” he said.

According to Agbedi, the caucus demands a full, transparent investigation into the abduction and murder of the General; saying that Nigerians deserves to know how terrorists now kill Generals with impunity.

Agbedi frowned at the recent Federal High Court Abuja judgement to de-register five political parties which the Appeal Court has stalled its implementation.

The lawmakers urged every proponents of political pluralism to remain alert to future attempts at undermining Nigeria’s democracy.

He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to wade into the conflicting judgments on party registration to save the judiciary from further embarrassment.

Agbedi said that INEC must resist being used to sabotage democracy as the caucus will not accept a 2027 election rigged before it begins.

“We, the minority caucus of the House of Representatives will not be silent. We will not be intimidated. We will use every legislative instrument to hold this government accountable.

“To Nigerians, do not despair. 2027 will not be decided in a room or by compromised courts. It will be decided by you, the people.

“The opposition parties will stand with you. The opposition will not be muscled out. Nigeria will be rescued,” he said. (NAN)