Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has attributed the nation’s lingering security crisis to a deficit of “political will” at the federal level.
The former Governor of Kano State and erstwhile Minister of Defence made these remarks while serving as the Special Guest of Honour at the graduation ceremony for 2,000 new recruits of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps.
Drawing on his background as a former Minister of Defence under the Obasanjo administration, Kwankwaso expressed frustration that the same Nigerian military that excelled in international missions is struggling to secure its own borders. He argued that the troops are capable, but the leadership from the top must be more assertive.
“Let me at this point advise the Federal Government, particularly in my capacity as a former Minister of Defence under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. I know the capacity of our officers and men. I have seen them in action in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur and Sudan. They performed excellently and made all of us proud,” Kwankwaso recalled.
He directly addressed President Bola Tinubu’s role as the Commander-in-Chief, insisting that the executive must take a more proactive stance in resourcing the armed forces.
“Based on that experience, many of us believe that what we lack today is political will, especially from the Commander-in-Chief himself. The Commander-in-Chief must comez forward and truly assume that role by providing the military and other security agencies with what they require in terms of training, retraining, recruitment, equipment, arms and ammunition, among others,” he added.
Kwankwaso proposed a significant expansion of Nigeria’s security architecture. He suggested that the Federal Government should look toward states like Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara—where local youths are already being trained—to bolster national forces against banditry.
Regarding his long-term strategy for the country, Kwankwaso noted: “In our blueprint, we clearly stated that over a short period, this country requires not less than one million military personnel. This is based on experiences within Nigeria and in other parts of the world.”
Despite the celebratory nature of the passing-out parade for the 2,000 watchmen, the Senator reminded the audience of the grim reality facing many Nigerians in the North-West and beyond. He emphasized that security remains a federal obligation that cannot be delegated away.
“As we celebrate here today, many of our people are still in the bush being kidnapped, while others are being killed. The Federal Government must not only provide leadership but also take responsibility for ensuring peace and stability for development,” Kwankwaso stated.
While critical of the central government, he expressed hope that the newly minted Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps would act as a vital shield for border communities currently plagued by pockets of violence.
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