Baba-Ahmed criticises Tinubu, arguing Nigeria’s police could end terrorism and banditry if corruption is removed from the security system
Abuja, 23 November 2023 — Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, 2023 Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide security emergency, insisting the administration “missed the point.”
Also read: Ondo APC Aspirants Endorse Tinubu for 2027 Election
Baba-Ahmed argued that the Nigeria Police Force, if liberated from corruption and political interference, could eliminate terrorism and banditry without additional recruitment.
Speaking on Arise News on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed described the President’s approach, including the rapid recruitment of tens of thousands of new security personnel, as fundamentally misguided.
“It is not about numbers. It is about reducing corruption in the war against insecurity itself,” he said.
“The entire amount budgeted for security in this current budget—how much of that is actually going into the war and how much is going into the 2027 elections? How much is going into private pockets? That is the problem.”
Baba-Ahmed maintained that removing corruption and political influence would allow the police alone to restore security nationwide. “Once you remove that, Nigeria will become secure. Remove the Nigerian armed forces.
The Nigerian police alone can wipe out insecurity and banditry in two months. Remove that corruption, remove political interest, give them all the support they want. They will do it,” he said.
His remarks came a day after President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency, directing the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force to recruit additional personnel.
The President announced that the police alone would take on 20,000 new officers, raising total recruitment to 50,000, in response to a surge in attacks and kidnappings.
Tinubu also advised state governments to reconsider establishing boarding schools in remote or poorly secured areas, following recent abductions in Niger, Kebbi, and other states.
Baba-Ahmed strongly opposed this directive, describing it as “deadly” and warning that such a move would allow bandits to dictate national policy.
“He should encourage people to build. If I have money, I will build in the rural areas,” Baba-Ahmed said, emphasising that discouraging rural education undermines national development.
He noted that teachers and school administrators are “fighting a war on behalf of the country that people don’t realise, and it’s as good as what the armed forces are doing.”
Also read: APC Praises Tinubu’s Bold Security Emergency Move
As Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity, abductions, and school kidnappings, Baba-Ahmed’s critique highlights the debate over whether military expansion or systemic reform offers the most effective path to national safety.
