Nigerians are crying out under the weight of rising insecurity and a crippling economy, and a prominent voice from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wake up and take decisive action. Engr. Gbenga Akinwande, a former chairmanship hopeful for Yewa North Local Government Area, has penned a stark warning, highlighting the growing public frustration that threatens the very fabric of the nation and the party’s standing.
Here’s the lowdown:
- Mounting insecurity and economic hardship are fueling widespread discontent.
- A former APC aspirant believes the party risks losing public support in 2027 if things don’t change.
- Bold proposals include creating regional combat forces and boosting whistleblower programs.
- Worries about a repeat of past military interventions are surfacing.
- Suggestions for economic relief include regional coordination and job creation initiatives.
Urgent Call to Arms: Tackling the Twin Evils of Insecurity and Economic Pain
In a strongly worded open letter addressed to President Tinubu, Engr. Akinwande didn’t mince words. He painted a grim picture of a nation struggling under the double burden of escalating security challenges and biting economic difficulties. This perilous mix, he argued, is breeding deep resentment against the APC, with whispers of potential electoral defeat in the 2027 general elections growing louder. It’s a wake-up call that the party can’t afford to ignore if it wants to remain in power.
A Bold Blueprint for National Security
Akinwande isn’t just complaining; he’s offering solutions. His proposal for establishing regional combatant command forces across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones is particularly striking. Imagine a unified front, bringing together the sharpest minds and bravest souls from the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and even trusted local vigilante groups. These commands, he suggests, should be led by seasoned officers, like brigadier-generals, and ideally staffed by individuals with deep roots in their respective regions. This localized approach, he believes, will foster better intelligence gathering and quicker response times.
Beyond Regional Commands: Fortifying the Frontlines
But that’s not all. Akinwande also champions enhanced whistleblower programmes, believing that empowering citizens to report suspicious activities is crucial. He’s pushing for increased highway surveillance to curb banditry and kidnapping, and a significant boost in the deployment of local vigilantes and forest guards – our first line of defense in rural areas. Crucially, he calls for a massive recruitment drive into the military, police, and other security agencies. Why? Because our current forces are stretched thin, and they need more boots on the ground to effectively protect us.
He clarified his stance on state police, suggesting that instead of a full state-level police force, it’s more practical to bolster existing structures. “Rather than establishing state police, we should create more police stations, recruit more mobile policemen and forest guards, and provide adequate operational equipment to support their activities,” Akinwande stated. This pragmatic approach aims to strengthen the national security apparatus without duplicating efforts.
Lessons from History: Avoiding Past Mistakes
Akinwande drew a sobering parallel to Nigeria’s past, referencing the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s prescient warning to former President Shehu Shagari during the economic turmoil of the early 1980s. The current atmosphere, he warned, is eerily reminiscent of a period that eventually led to military intervention. “The insecurity situation in the country is beginning to propel many Nigerians to agitate for military intervention in governance. It is important that the President rises urgently to the occasion to prevent a repeat of the 1983 occurrence,” he urged. This is a stark reminder that democratic stability is fragile and requires constant vigilance and effective governance.
Economic Reboot: Strategies for Relief and Growth
On the economic front, Akinwande proposed a structural reform: the appointment of six regional ministers. These ministers would be tasked with coordinating administrative and economic activities across the geopolitical zones, ensuring a more tailored and effective approach to national development. Furthermore, he advocates for direct labour programmes, implemented through local governments, to create much-needed jobs and inject life into grassroots economies. It’s about empowering communities from the bottom up.
Affordable Fuel: A Beacon of Hope?
One of Akinwande’s most talked-about suggestions is the Federal Government’s intervention to lower the pump price of petrol. He specifically called for measures to bring the price down to around N600 per litre. “To reduce the present economic hardship in the country, it will be in the interest of our party and the integrity of the Yoruba race for the President to find a way to bring the pump price of petrol down to about N600 per litre,” he asserted. This move, he believes, would provide immediate relief to citizens struggling with the high cost of living.
Acknowledging Progress Amidst Hardship
Despite his sharp criticisms and urgent calls for action, Akinwande didn’t shy away from acknowledging President Tinubu’s efforts. He commended the President for his “audacity” in implementing bold economic reforms and tackling challenges that previous administrations shied away from. “Your Excellency has done credibly well for our nation through the audacity of your bold initiatives and reforms,” he stated. However, he stressed that the economic hardship is a tangible reality impacting families deeply, and these realities are unfortunately fueling negative sentiments towards the ruling party.
Akinwande’s open letter, copied to prominent figures like elder statesman Chief Olusegun Osoba and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, serves as a crucial barometer of public sentiment. It’s a candid plea from within the party ranks, urging decisive leadership to navigate Nigeria through its current storm.
Key Takeaways:
| Area of Concern | Akinwande’s Proposed Solutions |
|---|---|
| Insecurity | Regional combat command forces, enhanced whistleblower programs, increased highway surveillance, mass recruitment into security agencies, better welfare for personnel. |
| Economic Hardship | Appointment of six regional ministers, direct labour programs via local governments, reducing petrol pump price to N600/litre. |
| Political Stability | Urgent action to prevent public dissatisfaction leading to calls for military intervention. |
Only time will tell if President Tinubu will heed these strong calls from within his own party. The nation watches, hoping for effective solutions that will bring lasting peace and prosperity.
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