Security crisis needs command, not new recruits- Adebayo slams Tinubu

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has described President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a security emergency as “an academic exercise” that will not yield meaningful results.

In a statement on Saturday, Adebayo argued that previous Presidents and Commanders-in-Chief had declared similar security emergencies since 2008 when Boko Haram launched its insurgency, yet the situation has persisted, insisting that issuing another declaration now amounts to mere rhetoric.

Adebayo faulted the president for focusing on recruitment rather than addressing what he called the real issues— command, control, and effective deployment, adding “The problem does not lie in the number of personnel but in command and control. The President is the Commander-in-Chief, but he has not acted as an effective one. Recruitment alone will not solve the battlefield challenges. It is a long-term plan.”

He stressed that the president should prioritise operational direction and proper supervision of the armed forces, adding that security management requires close attention from the nation’s leader.

“What the president needs to do now is pay more attention to the armed forces, give operational orders, and remain on ground to ensure effective day-to-day planning. He must ensure that the laws of the land are enforced and Nigeria’s sovereignty upheld across the country. He needs to motivate the troops, ensure prompt attention to those on the frontlines, and engage communities actively because insurgency cannot be defeated without community cooperation,” he said.

Adebayo also advised the president to ensure consistent and well-structured budgeting for the military, while warning that corruption within the armed forces must be addressed for any emergency declaration to be meaningful.

Commenting on the recent reshuffling of service chiefs and the political tension in some states, Adebayo said the president appeared “jittery,” arguing that many of the decisions being taken now should have been made in 2023. He criticised what he described as a lack of proper consultation in the new military appointments.

Adebayo also criticised the recent federal government delegation to the United States seeking diplomatic engagement, arguing that earlier action in 2023 would have prevented the current situation.

“If they had acted earlier, there would be no need to respond to President Trump’s recent statements. Diplomacy should be systematic, intentional and well organised. They would not be struggling to appoint two or more ambassadors; Nigeria would have proper representation in key world capitals,” he added.