The Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency, arguing that the government is tackling the wrong problem.
Speaking on Arise News on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed criticised the administration’s plan to recruit tens of thousands of new security personnel, saying Nigeria’s safety challenge is rooted in corruption, not numbers.
“It is not about numbers,” he said. “It is about reducing corruption in the war against insecurity itself.”
He questioned how much of Nigeria’s current security budget will actually fund frontline operations, suggesting that a significant portion may instead fuel private interests or the 2027 election cycle.
‘Police alone could end banditry—if corruption is removed.’
Baba-Ahmed argued that if political interference and graft were eliminated, the Nigeria Police could end terrorism and banditry without military support.
“Remove the Nigerian armed forces. The Nigerian police alone can wipe out insecurity and banditry in two months,” he insisted.
“Remove that corruption, remove political interest, give them all the support they want. They will do it.”
His comments came barely 24 hours after President Tinubu announced plans to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers—bringing total new recruits to 50,000—as part of a sweeping response to escalating abductions across Niger, Kebbi and other states.
The President also advised state governments to reconsider boarding schools in vulnerable rural districts, following several high-profile mass kidnappings of students and teachers.
‘Deadly, wrong, dangerous’
Baba-Ahmed rejected the President’s call entirely, warning that avoiding certain areas amounted to conceding territory and authority to armed groups.
“That is deadly. That is wrong,” he said. “I wish President Tinubu can hear this very quickly.”
The former VP candidate said the government should prioritise accountability, reform and proper funding over fresh recruitment drives—warning that Nigeria cannot secure itself until it dismantles the interests profiting from insecurity.
