Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to live up to his constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief by decisively tackling insecurity and banditry across the country.
Addressing a gathering in Kano on Tuesday, Kwankwaso accused the Tinubu administration of lacking the political will needed to confront the worsening security crisis.
“President Tinubu should rise to the occasion and answer his Commander-in-Chief name to tackle the problems of insecurity,” Kwankwaso said.
He lamented the continued killing of Nigerians, alleging that perpetrators often escape justice, and argued that the government owed citizens an apology for what he described as laxity in the fight against insecurity.
Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence, said Nigeria’s military remains one of the most gallant forces globally, citing its roles in peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia and other conflict zones.
“When I was Defence Minister, I knew the strength of the Nigerian military. They are courageous. What is lacking is the political will to enable them do the needful,” he said.
He added that historically, the Nigerian military performed admirably on international assignments and urged the current administration to adequately equip and empower the armed forces to change the security narrative.
Looking ahead to 2027, Kwankwaso said that if elected president, he would prioritise security by recruiting over one million military personnel and integrating local security outfits, including the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security architecture.
“Any government that fails to protect lives and property has woefully failed and has no business being in government,” he said.
Ahmad Sorondinki
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