Kwankwaso Challenges Tinubu Over Insecurity

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has issued a scathing critique of the federal government’s handling of Nigeria’s escalating security crisis, asserting that any administration unable to protect its people loses the moral right to govern. Speaking in Kano on Tuesday, the 2023 New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate suggested that the current leadership lacks the necessary resolve to end the reign of terror across the country.

The former Minister of Defence made these remarks during the unveiling of 2,000 operatives for the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network. For Kwankwaso, the ceremony served as a backdrop to emphasize that security must begin at the grassroots, even as he pointed a finger directly at the Presidency for the “laxity” that has allowed banditry and kidnapping to flourish.

Kwankwaso urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step up and truly embody the role of Commander-in-Chief. He noted that while innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered daily, the perpetrators continue to operate with a sense of impunity that suggests a breakdown in state authority. He argued that the government owes a public apology to the citizens for its failure to stem the tide of violence.

Reflecting on his tenure as the head of the Ministry of Defence, Kwankwaso defended the reputation of the Nigerian military. He described the armed forces as a gallant and professional institution that has historically earned accolades in international peacekeeping missions from Darfur to Liberia. He insisted that the issue does not lie with the bravery of the soldiers, but with the lack of direction from the top.

According to him, the military is currently under-supported and under-equipped. He claimed that the same forces that once ranked among the best in the world are being hampered by a lack of political will. Without clear mandates and the necessary tools, he argued, even the most courageous soldiers cannot turn the tide against sophisticated criminal networks.

Kwankwaso also looked toward the future, signaling that his ambitions for the 2027 presidency remain tied to a radical overhaul of the security apparatus. He proposed an aggressive expansion of the military’s headcount, pledging to recruit over one million additional personnel to saturate troubled regions and restore order. This, he believes, is the only way to match the scale of the threats facing the federation.

The NNPP leader further advocated for a hybrid approach to policing. He called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based initiatives, such as the newly formed Kano security network, into the broader national strategy. He believes that local intelligence is the missing link in modern operations and that empowering community-driven security can boost morale and provide the real-time data needed to neutralize threats before they escalate.

Throughout his address, the tone was one of urgency and political challenge. By stating that a government failing in its primary duty has “no business remaining in office,” Kwankwaso effectively drew a battle line for the coming years. He positioned the NNPP as a more decisive alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress, focusing on the fundamental promise of safety as the ultimate metric of a leader’s success.

As the security situation continues to dominate the national conversation, Kwankwaso’s remarks highlight a growing impatience with the status quo. His call for a million-man army and deeper community involvement serves as a direct critique of the current administration’s pace and strategy. For the former governor, the solution is simple: a mix of massive recruitment, local intelligence, and a Commander-in-Chief willing to take the fight to the enemy.