Political Will Lacking in Fight Against Insecurity, Says Kwankwaso

The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said that inadequate political will by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu is hindering efforts to effectively tackle insecurity in Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, a former two-term governor of Kano State, 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.

The former Minister of Defence recalled Nigeria’s strong record in international peacekeeping missions, expressing concern that the same capacity has not translated into resolving domestic security challenges.

He urged the Federal Government to properly equip security agencies through consistent training and retraining, recruitment, and the provision of essential equipment, arms, and ammunition to confront the nation’s security threats.

“Let me at this point advise the Federal Government, particularly in my capacity as a former Minister of Defence under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. I know the capacity of our officers and men. I have seen them in action in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur and Sudan. They performed excellently and made all of us proud,” Kwankwaso said.

“Based on that experience, many of us believe that what we lack today is political will, especially from the Commander-in-Chief himself. The Commander-in-Chief must come forward and truly assume that role by providing the military and other security agencies with what they require in terms of training, retraining, recruitment, equipment, arms and ammunition, among others,” he added.

Kwankwaso also advised the Federal Government to integrate trained youths from states such as Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara into the national security framework to bolster efforts against banditry.

“In our blueprint, we clearly stated that over a short period, this country requires not less than one million military personnel. This is based on experiences within Nigeria and in other parts of the world,” he said.

He noted that insecurity is a nationwide issue, pointing out that other regions have set up complementary security outfits, including Amotekun in the South-West.

Lamenting the persistent killings and kidnappings across the country, Kwankwaso stressed 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. The Federal Government must not only provide leadership but also take responsibility for ensuring peace and stability for development,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Kwankwaso expressed optimism that the inauguration of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps would help restore peace in border communities of the state currently grappling with pockets of insecurity.

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