A fresh division has emerged within the opposition ranks in the House of Representatives over calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign due to the worsening security challenges in the polity.

While the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Fred Agbedi, recently urged President Tinubu to either address the country’s mounting security and economic problems or step down from office, a fellow opposition lawmaker, Hon. Philip Agbese, has openly disagreed with the position, describing it as politically motivated and unhelpful.

Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) and serves as Deputy House Spokesperson, insist that the demand for Tinubu’s resignation was driven more by political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections than genuine concern for Nigerians.

“The call for the resignation of President Tinubu is not borne out of patriotism. It appears to be part of a broader conspiracy by some political actors who are desperate to remove the President from office through every available means,” he said.

He contended that the fight against insecurity requires collective national responsibility and stronger collaboration with security agencies rather than calls for the President’s resignation.

“The issue of insecurity is a national challenge that requires the collective support of all Nigerians. What we need at this critical time is partnership with our armed forces and security agencies, not rhetoric designed to score political points,” Agbese said.

According to him, insecurity remains a national challenge that predates the current administration and should not be exploited for partisan gains stressing the need for his colleagues in the opposition ranks to focus on providing practical solutions and supporting ongoing efforts by security agencies to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The LP lawmaker who dumped the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) due to irreconcilable differences with Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state also took a swipe at the Minority Leader, suggesting that external political interests may be influencing the call for the President’s resignation.

“I am afraid the Leader of the Minority who is yet to settle down to work has jumped into narrow conclusion that point to MPs being adversely maneuvered from outside the parliament by forces interested in President Tinubu’s job for 2027. Some of us in the opposition will not accept that,” he stated.

He maintained that members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies deserve encouragement and public support for the sacrifices they continue to make in combating insecurity across the country.

The lawmaker also disclosed that the House of Representatives had invited security chiefs for an engagement on the nation’s security situation, expressing optimism that the interaction would help strengthen efforts to address the challenges.

The development highlights growing differences within the opposition caucus on how best to respond to the country’s security crisis, with some lawmakers advocating stronger political pressure on the presidency while others favour cooperation with the government and security institutions to tackle the problem.

Agbese thereby called on political leaders across party lines to put national interest above partisan considerations and work together to restore peace and security across the country, insisting that lasting peace can only be achieved through unity, cooperation and a shared commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.