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Renowned security expert and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Amb. Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has urged Nigerians to embrace constructive and responsible criticism amid growing public frustration over insecurity and the rising cost of living in the country.
Mumuni’s reaction comes as many Nigerians continue to blame government for worsening insecurity, kidnappings and economic hardship, with some citizens accusing leaders and relevant stakeholders of carelessness and an “I don’t care” attitude toward persistent security challenges across the country.
Public anger has intensified in recent days following the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and school administrators in Oyo State, a development that has triggered fresh criticism of government’s response to insecurity and the safety of citizens.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Rasheed Abubakar, on Saturday, Mumuni acknowledged that criticism is an essential part of democracy because it helps to hold leaders accountable and can drive positive change.
He said Nigerians have every right to speak out over security failures, economic hardship, corruption, poor service delivery and policies that negatively affect citizens.
According to him, criticism is justified when it highlights specific failures in governance, exposes corruption, demands transparency and calls attention to policies that harm the public.
However, the APC chieftain cautioned that criticism should not degenerate into harmful negativity, misinformation or blanket attacks that undermine efforts to address the country’s challenges.
Mumuni noted that while public frustration over insecurity and the rising cost of living is understandable, criticism should be fact based, solution driven and aimed at encouraging progress rather than deepening division.
He stressed that the current administration inherited significant challenges, including economic instability, infrastructure gaps, insecurity and governance problems, adding that efforts to address such deep rooted issues require time, patience and collective responsibility.
The security expert warned against using social media to spread unverified information or narratives that create panic, insisting that citizens must verify facts before sharing sensitive claims.
He also urged Nigerians to distinguish between legitimate concerns and baseless attacks, saying opposition to reforms should not be driven by emotion alone but by reason and practical alternatives.
“Criticism is vital in a democracy because it holds leaders accountable and drives positive change. But there is a difference between constructive criticism and harmful negativity,” he said.
Mumuni called for responsible citizenship, dialogue and continued engagement with government while insisting that leaders must also remain accountable to the people, saying that true patriotism involves supporting national progress while demanding better governance and improved security.
“Let us criticise wisely, act responsibly and build Nigeria together,” he said.
