Governors’ apathy toward security

The current state of insecurity plaguing Nigeria demands urgent and decisive action, yet a disturbing lethargy among state governors undermines efforts to protect citizens. Despite the escalating violence, which has drawn international concern, many governors appear to lack a coherent strategy, leaving forests unsafe and roads perilous with abductions and killings.

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IT is disturbing that, despite the worsening insecurity in the country, which has attracted international attention and intervention, state governors, who have the responsibility for securing their people, are lethargic about tackling it.

This apathy is particularly galling given the constitutional role of governors as chief security officers of their states. Instead of mobilizing local police and military formations for immediate response to security breaches, many governors are observed rushing to Abuja for federal intervention. This reliance on external help, after devastating attacks like the one in Jos, Plateau State, suggests a failure to leverage the resources and authority within their own domains.

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Curiously, the governors, who are the chief security officers of their states, routinely run to Abuja for intervention after security breaches.

Furthermore, the article points to a concerning trend where governors seem more preoccupied with personal security, lavish travel, and upcoming elections than with the safety of the populace. While they may cite constitutional limitations regarding control over federal security apparatus, this is often seen as an excuse to abdicate responsibility. The focus must shift from seeking votes to staying within communities and implementing creative, innovative solutions tailored to each state's unique security challenges. Nigeria's ranking as fourth globally in the Global Terrorism Index is a stark indicator that the current approach is failing.

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“... all the governors have what it takes to solve the (security) problem within their domain. Some of our governors, how many days or how many weeks do they even spend in their states? They don’t stay within the community. It is only when they want people’s votes that you see them within their community.