Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the approval of about 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State, describing the move as a reactive approach to addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
In a statement titled “What Our Pervasive Insecurity Requires: A Holistic Not Reactive Approach,” Obi argued that the decision reflects a pattern of responding to national issues without a comprehensive strategy.
The approval followed the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, a development that has heightened concerns about insecurity in the region.
While acknowledging thee need for increased security personnel, Obi questioned whether the Federal Government intends to extend similar approvals to all states facing security threats.
He noted that severale states, including Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo and Sokoto, are grappling with varying degrees of insecurity.
According to Obi, a key concern is whether the recruitment of forest guards in Oyo represents a broader national policy or a response driven by specific incidents.
He also raised questions about the future of regional security outfits such as the South-West Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, and how the new arrangement would affect their operations.
The former Anambra governor argued that insecurity in Nigeria is rooted in broader governance challenges, including unemployment, weak economic growth and the inability to effectively harness the country’s resources.
He maintained that tackling insecurity requires a holistic approach that addresses underlying social and economic factors rather than isolated interventions.
Obi further stated that leadership failures in areas such as national unity, industrialisation, agriculture and job creation have contributed to the current security situation.
He called for a comprehensive strategy that combines security measures with economic and social reforms aimed at reducing poverty, creating opportunities and strengthening national cohesion.
The comments come amid growing debate over the Federal Government’s response to rising incidents of kidnapping, banditry and other security threats across parts of the country.
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