Tinubu must act on security, poverty, reforms, says ex-governor Umar in open letter

Former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Dangiwa Umar, has penned an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging the president's recognition of June 12 heroes while issuing a strong call to address Nigeria's pressing national crises. Umar expressed gratitude for Tinubu's public acknowledgment of military officers and civilians who fought against the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

However, the retired colonel quickly shifted from commendation to a critical assessment of the nation's current state. He urged the administration to prioritize and urgently tackle the escalating issues of insecurity and poverty plaguing the country. Umar emphasized that the security of citizens was a fundamental expectation of any government, a prerequisite for all other governance functions.

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I wish to offer my profound appreciation for your public recognition of the services rendered by some officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces whose names were read out during your Democracy Day Address on the 12th of June, 2026.

Umar's letter highlighted that the democratic ideals envisioned by those who fought for the June 12 mandate included ensuring the safety and well-being of the populace. He questioned the president's statement that democracy is a work-in-progress regarding security, pondering whether it reflected humility or despair. The former governor stressed that without national security, nothing else truly matters.

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If national security is missing, that would be the end of the discussion; nothing else matters. Nothing!