National Security: Religious and Civil Society Leaders Urge President Tinubu to Take Decisive Action
In a powerful collective statement, eminent Nigerian religious leaders and civil society figures have delivered a stark message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that the ultimate responsibility for the nation’s pervasive insecurity rests squarely with his administration. The coalition, which includes Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Sheikh Ahmad Lemu, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), emphasized that the “buck stops” on the President’s table, calling for urgent and effective strategies to curb the violence plaguing the country.
The appeal comes amid a seemingly unending cycle of violence that continues to challenge the nation’s stability. From the bandits attack Kwara communities to persistent insurgency in the northeast and widespread kidnappings, the security landscape remains dire. The leaders’ intervention highlights a growing national impatience and the critical need for governance that prioritizes the safety of all citizens. This sentiment echoes recent concerns following a bandits attack Kwara, which further underscored the vulnerability of communities across different regions.
A Unified Front for National Safety
The coalition’s statement transcends religious and ethnic divides, presenting a unified front rarely seen in Nigeria’s diverse socio-political arena. Cardinal Onaiyekan, a respected Catholic cleric, and Sheikh Lemu, an influential Islamic scholar, represent a powerful symbolic partnership. Their joint appeal, backed by CAN’s extensive network, carries significant moral weight and reflects deep-seated public anxiety. They argue that while security challenges are complex, leadership is defined by the ability to confront and resolve them, making the President’s role indispensable.
This call for accountability arrives concurrently with other significant national developments. Just in, reports of a foiled coup attempt in a neighboring West African nation have reignited discussions about regional stability and the socio-political discontent that often fuels such instability. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, initiatives like Gov. Lawal launches new security infrastructure in Zamfara represent state-level efforts to complement federal action. However, as the religious leaders stress, a cohesive, national strategy driven from the center is paramount.
Beyond Security: A Plea for Holistic Governance
The leaders’ message implicitly connects security to broader governance issues. They suggest that without safety, economic plans and social programs cannot take root. This perspective finds a parallel in ambitious technological visions like the Moonshot 2025: ‘AI and digital transformation agenda proposed by various sectors, which require a stable environment to succeed. Similarly, the cultural influence of figures like actress Regina Daniels breaks through mainstream news, yet such normalcy is fragile when communities live in fear. The leaders contend that securing the nation is the foundational step upon which all other progress depends.
The reference to the “buck stopping” on the President’s table is a direct invocation of executive responsibility. It is a reminder that, despite the decentralized nature of security operations, strategic command and resource allocation ultimately flow from the federal government. The coalition is urging President Tinubu to leverage this authority to its fullest, fostering greater inter-agency collaboration, equipping security personnel adequately, and addressing the root causes of conflict, including poverty and unemployment.
As Nigeria navigates this critical period, the appeal from Cardinal Onaiyekan, Sheikh Lemu, and CAN serves as both a critique and a call to action. It underscores the reality that each new security incident, whether a bandits attack Kwara or violence elsewhere, erodes public trust. The nation watches as Gov. Lawal launches one initiative and federal authorities announce another, but the collective cry from these leaders is for results that are tangible and immediate. The coming months will be a true test of the administration’s capacity to translate promises into peace and to ensure that the security of every Nigerian is no longer a headline, but a guaranteed reality.
