“Tinubu has the will to fix insecurity” — Oshiomhole defends President’s security efforts

Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday said President Bola Tinubu does not lack the political will to tackle insecurity across the country.

Speaking in Abuja at the book launch of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Federal Capital Territory Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, Mr Oshiomhole said the administration had demonstrated commitment through funding, policy actions and leadership decisions aimed at improving national security.

According to him, the rise in insecurity should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment from the Presidency.

“What is the difficult thing in political will? The Commander-in-Chief gives the order: go and ensure that the country is safe, as President Bola Tinubu has done repeatedly.

“I am putting my mouth where I am putting resources, and he has provided more money, even supplementary budget at the National Assembly, approved. What more political will do you need?” he asked.

Mr Oshiomhole also cited the President’s declaration of a state of emergency and the replacement of former security chiefs as further proof of government action.

“The Commander-in-Chief decided to declare a state of emergency and even told the armed forces no more excuses. He even replaced the former security chiefs with these ones. To sack chiefs in a village, you know the challenges, not to talk of sacking security chiefs. There is no question that there is no political will,” he said.

He urged political actors across party lines to treat national security as a collective responsibility.

“So, I think all of us as a people, particularly those who are in politics, whether in the opposition, need to understand that when it comes to security, there is one Nigeria. There is no APC, no PDP, or whatever.

“I’m not aware that anybody has been queried for apprehending a dangerous criminal. So what is political will? The President has it in abundance.”

Concerns over implementation

Mr Oshiomhole, however, questioned whether directives issued at the highest levels are always effectively implemented by operational personnel.

“But between the commander and the other guy in the battlefield, I think it is where we probably can benefit from relations, how the system goes, because the system works on a command basis,” he said.

He also raised concerns about whether field officers possess the equipment, morale and operational support required to execute directives effectively.

Call for review of NSCDC identity

The senator suggested a review of the Nigerian Civil Defence identity, arguing that the term “civil” appears inconsistent with the agency’s operational realities.

“And lastly, I think from what I can see now, we might need to review the name of the Nigerian Civil Defence.

“If the criminals you have to fight have sophisticated weapons, you who is fighting them, your weapon should not be less sophisticated,” he stated.

Earlier, the author of the book and FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, stressed the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies.

Mr Odumosu identified unhealthy rivalry between agencies as one of the factors weakening national security responses.

According to him, insecurity requires coordinated action and a shared objective among all agencies responsible for protecting lives and property.