- Says President must truly be Commander-in-Chief
Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has accused the President Bola Tinubu government of lacking the political will to effectively tackle banditry and other security challenges confronting the country.
Kwankwaso made the allegation on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling the newly established 2,000-man Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.
He urged President Tinubu to “rise up to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing the nation’s growing insecurity.
According to him, Nigeria’s armed forces are among the most gallant in the world, having distinguished themselves in international peacekeeping missions in places such as Darfur and Liberia, but are being constrained by inadequate political support from the government.
“Our military has proved its capacity across the globe. What they need is the necessary political will, proper equipment and support to do what is required,” Kwankwaso said.
He lamented that many Nigerians are being killed daily, while perpetrators often escape without consequence, describing the situation as unacceptable.
He added that the Federal government owes Nigerians an apology for what he termed its laxity in addressing insecurity.
Drawing from his experience as a former Minister of Defence, Kwankwaso said he is familiar with the strength and courage of the Nigerian military, stressing that decisive leadership is required to enable them perform optimally.
He also faulted any government that fails to protect lives and property, arguing that such an administration has “woefully failed in its primary responsibility.”
Looking ahead, the NNPP leader stated that if elected president in 2027, he would prioritise national security, including the recruitment of over one million military personnel to strengthen the country’s defence architecture.
Kwankwaso further called on the Federal government to consider integrating community-based security initiatives, such as the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the broader national security framework to boost morale and enhance collaboration in the fight against insecurity.
He maintained that a coordinated approach involving both conventional security forces and local security outfits was critical to changing the current security narrative in the country.