I do know Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, although I have had no discussion with him since his assumption of office. I must make this point because, in Nigeria, it has now become the norm to ignore the message but assail the messenger. Let the facts be known: Governor Lawal has not approached me and has not paid me to write this rejoinder.
This is the voice of an ordinary Nigerian resident in the North, who has lost friends to kidnappings and is angered by the unhappy reality that our country never solves issues small or large. No one is secure, not even those walking around with thick security. To denounce terrorists is not just a civic duty; it is enlightened self-interest.
The anonymous article published by Saturday Independent calling for the resignation of Governor Lawal is a hatchet job a thinly veiled attempt at giving reasons for a possible state of emergency in Zamfara. Good journalism demands attribution and verifiable sources, not secret speculations by unnamed “top government officials.”
Governor Lawal is no frivolous leader. He spoke the truth about Nigeria’s broken security architecture, forcing the nation to confront ugly realities. For this, he ought to be praised, not criticized.
Lawal has made daring moves to combat insecurity within the limits of his constitutional powers. The real frustration is that state governors are Chief Security Officers in name they cannot deploy security agents, buy arms, or even direct a Commissioner of Police. The Constitution vests the Federal Government with absolute authority over the military and police. Governors are, nonetheless, unfairly blamed when terrorists strike.
If Lawal is being asked to resign for owning up to this, what about those who actually instruct the security agencies and have failed woefully? Why is the Federal Government, which receives far more security appropriations, not being questioned?
Even President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the imperative of constitutional reform, including the creation of state police. Yet, political opponents still prefer to weaponize Lawal’s honesty, instead of demanding change with urgency.
It is unfortunate that governors like Lawal and Dikko Radda of Katsina must eternally beg Abuja for military support that never comes. And the states must supply patrol vehicles, fuel, allowances, and communication gadgets for federal soldiers while still suffering the consequences of every failure.
Governor Lawal’s wail is not an admission of defeat. It is a wail for change and for Nigeria to end the tragedy of centralised security that has failed the people. The real questions are:
- Why has the military not routed terrorists decisively?
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Why has the Federal Government not kept campaign promises of recruitment and higher firepower?
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And why should honest governors be punished for demanding accountability?
Nigerians must not be distracted. The issue is not the resignation of Lawal but whether those who indeed have the authority to end this slaughter are ready to do so. Until we demand accountability from the military and federal government, blaming governors is not only unfair but also dangerous.
Nigeria has complicated easy things for 65 years and has not been able to solve them. The protracted insurgency must end and with all speed.
