“Obi is right on insecurity; Tinubu’s anti-poverty policies are failing” — Danbaki fires at Presidency

Political analyst, former Labour Party Caretaker Chairman in Kaduna State, and Kaduna Central Senatorial candidate, Dr. Yusuf Solomon Danbaki, has backed the position of the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that rising poverty is fuelling insecurity across Nigeria.

Dr. Danbaki also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic and security policies, warning that efforts to address insecurity would continue to fall short unless poverty is tackled.

He made the remarks on Monday on VOP This Morning’s Programme On Voice of the People Television, where he argued that administrative reforms such as the creation of state police would have limited impact without addressing widespread economic hardship.

“I agree with Mr. Obi that the increase in poverty is a major cause of insecurity, and if this administration is not doing anything to reduce poverty, then even the state police cannot be able to manage the insecurity that we’re up for in the coming years,” Dr. Danbaki said.

Dr. Danbaki’s comments come amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on the country’s security challenges, Dr. Danbaki said the current approach had failed to produce the expected results, stressing that the government must adopt more effective strategies.

“You cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. The policy of this administration since inception has not yielded the desired result, and something ought to be done drastically,” he said.

While supporting the idea of state police, Dr. Danbaki criticised the pace of its implementation.

“State police… might bring the desired change, because when you bring security closer to the people, definitely you will get a better result. But they’ve been very, very slow about it,” he added.

Backs Obi’s leadership style

Commenting on recent remarks by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, regarding divisions within the ruling establishment, Dr. Danbaki said the internal disagreements were exposing issues previously hidden from the public.

“He is one of them, and now that they are falling apart, we are getting to hear things that we do not know before,” Dr. Danbaki said.

“One thing he said and one thing he’s known for is being frank — he says it as it is, not minding who will be offended. So I agree with 90 percent of what he said, particularly on the fact that the ticket to defeat the ruling party is that of Mr. Obi.”

Asked whether Mr. Obi’s pledge to personally lead security operations as Commander-in-Chief was realistic, Dr. Danbaki expressed confidence in the former Anambra State governor’s leadership style.

“I think it is realistic. Mr. Obi has been a man leading from the front in everything he does… So I think if given the opportunity as president, he will do exactly that,” he said.

A key figure in the Obidient Movement and the Senator Nenadi Usman-led faction of the Labour Party, Dr. Danbaki has remained influential in Kaduna and Middle Belt politics, with his latest endorsement reflecting ongoing efforts by opposition figures to consolidate support ahead of the next presidential election.

WATCH FULL INTERVIEW HERE: