Insecurity: Ojudu tells Tinubu to “sit up” says democracy in danger.
Babafemi Ojudu, a former presidential assistant, has raised alarm about Nigeria’s rising security problem, warning that failure to solve it may jeopardise the country’s democratic stability.
Ojudu made the statements on Tuesday, urging President Bola Tinubu to take swift and decisive action.
“I’m a member of the APC [governing party], and I shouldn’t be perceived as purposefully criticising a president elected on my party’s platform. But let me just state the truth here, even if it means being vilified by members of my own party,” Ojudu remarked.
“I think the security issue is concerning, and I’m not pleased with how it’s being handled. It’s being treated as if it’s a fight between two cops or some nasty guys on the street. The President must sit up. This is a severe threat to the survival of this country.”
The senator for Ekiti Central lambasted the administration’s response as inadequate, citing previous violence in Benue, Plateau, and Kogi states.
“You go to the North-Central, the North-East, the North-West—even places as close to Yorubaland as Kogi and Kwara—bandits are already on the rampage,” he told me.
“The president must wake up and seek solutions. All these palliatives about travelling to a hall in Benue State to chat to people or crack jokes are not the answer.”
Ojudu urged the president to send direct orders to the military and security agencies to develop a comprehensive master plan.
“He should hand a marching order to military officials, police hierarchy, the army, navy, air force, and intelligence agencies to come together and come up with a master plan to quickly solve these problems,” a former congressman suggested.
He cautioned that failing to address insecurity could jeopardise democracy and result in a return to military rule.
“His advisors should tell him frankly. If he does not, democratic principles will be jeopardised. We don’t want to return to the military era. We do not want to risk exile or incarceration. “Let him quickly resolve this issue before it destroys our democracy,” he urged.
Ojudu cautioned that, if left unchecked, the security situation might be used for political purposes as the 2027 elections approach.
“If these things continue until the election, we’re not sure what those folks (violence actors) will be used for. That, in itself, jeopardises the entire fabric of our society. “I’m worried— very worried,” the APC leader stated.
“The way things are going—people being slaughtered, kidnapped—it’s not enough to sit in Abuja and pretend everything is fine. We need to take action. Things aren’t going great.”
When asked to respond to a statement by legal luminary Olisa Agbakoba that questioned the viability of recent reforms under Nigeria’s centralised governance framework, Ojudu voiced both agreement and concern.
“I agree.” We must think within the context of our structure. Given President Tinubu’s commitment to restructuring, I find it surprising that the current approach seems to be consolidating power at the federal level.
“Development commissions are popping up everywhere. We do not need all of these. Instead, we are transferring greater power to the federal government,” he added.
Ojudu’s statements come amid mounting worries over the government’s handling of security, as casualties have risen across multiple states recently.
Benue State, located in Nigeria’s North-Central zone, has recently seen an increase in violent attacks, particularly in Yelewata and nearby areas.
According to rights groups, the number of deaths could have approached 100 in just two months. A recent midnight raid killed scores and uprooted thousands of people.
In response, President Tinubu paid a visit to the state, ordering security officials to take urgent action and instructing intelligence agencies to increase surveillance. The president announced a peace-building commission made up of traditional rulers such as the Tor Tiv V and the Och’Idoma, which has launched peace discussions.
Despite these precautions, critics continue to point out the sluggish response and coordination of security personnel.
Over the weekend, a mob killed 12 Kaduna State tourists on their way to a wedding in Plateau State, illustrating the security landscape.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang denounced the act, saying that “pain and suffering must not justify violence against innocent commuters.”
Kaduna Governor Uba Sani called the deaths a “act of savagery” and promised justice. President Tinubu further stated that freedom of movement is “non-negotiable” for all Nigerians.