Accord Party presidential candidate Gbenga Hashim has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the deteriorating security situation across the country, alleging that current policies have failed to curb widespread terrorism and banditry.

Speaking during an interview on the politics show Mic On with host Seun Okinbaloye, Hashim raised alarm over the expanding footprint of armed non-state actors, particularly across Northern Nigeria.

The presidential candidate claimed that over 30,000 people have lost their lives to acts of terrorism since the current administration took office. He further alleged that armed groups have established control over rural communities across 17 of the 19 northern states.

According to Hashim, the threat extends beyond physical violence, as insurgents and bandits have instituted parallel administrative structures, imposing illegal levies and taxation systems on local residents in controlled areas.

He warned that such developments directly undermine Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty, as criminal syndicates usurp functions that belong strictly to constitutional authorities.

Hashim cautioned voters regarding the potential implications of a second term for the incumbent administration ahead of the 2027 presidential election, alleging that continued security lapses could expose the country to broader regional extremist networks.

To address the crisis, Hashim argued that conventional military and police deployments alone are no longer sufficient to combat internal security threats, banditry, and insurgency. As part of his proposed security agenda, the Accord candidate advocated for the establishment of a specialized National Guard to bridge operational gaps between police forces and the armed services.