The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu of lacking the political will needed to effectively tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Kwankwaso, a two-term former governor of Kano State and former Minister of Defence, made the remarks while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the passing-out parade of 2,000 newly recruited personnel of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps.
Recalling Nigeria’s past peacekeeping successes abroad, Kwankwaso expressed concern that the same military that distinguished itself in countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur and Sudan has been unable to end persistent violence at home.
“I know the capacity of our officers and men,” he said. “I have seen them in action outside Nigeria where they performed excellently and made us proud. Based on that experience, many of us believe what we lack today is political will, especially from the Commander-in-Chief himself.”
Kwankwaso urged President Tinubu to fully assume his role as Commander-in-Chief by ensuring sustained training and retraining, increased recruitment, and the provision of adequate equipment, arms and ammunition to security agencies.
He also called on the Federal Government to absorb trained youths from states such as Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara into the national security framework to strengthen efforts against banditry and terrorism.
According to him, Nigeria requires a significant expansion of its security forces. “In our blueprint, we stated clearly that over a short period, this country needs not less than one million military personnel, based on experiences within Nigeria and globally,” he said.
Kwankwaso noted that insecurity is a nationwide problem, pointing out that other regions have introduced complementary security outfits, such as Amotekun in the South-West.
He lamented the continued killings and kidnappings across the country, stressing that security remains the primary responsibility of the Federal Government.
“As we celebrate here today, many of our people are still in the bush being kidnapped, while others are being killed,” he said. “The Federal Government must provide leadership and take responsibility for ensuring peace and stability, which are essential for development.”
Despite his criticism, Kwankwaso expressed optimism that the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps would help restore peace in border communities currently experiencing pockets of insecurity.
