Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered a scathing assessment of Nigeria’s worsening security situation, sharply criticizing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as its inability to adequately protect citizens.
Speaking during an interview with News Central, Obasanjo said the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property, stressing that failure in that regard undermines its legitimacy.
“Let me tell you, the government that cannot give security of life and property of its citizens has no right of existence,” he said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of renewed insecurity across several parts of the country, including persistent banditry in the North-West, insurgency in the North-East, and rising cases of kidnapping for ransom in the North-Central and southern regions. In recent months, communities have reported deadly attacks, mass abductions, and displacement of residents, further heightening public anxiety.
Security analysts say the situation has been compounded by gaps in intelligence coordination, under-resourced security agencies, and slow response times to distress calls in vulnerable areas. There have also been increasing calls from civil society groups for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, including state policing and improved community-based intelligence systems.
Obasanjo, who has remained an influential voice in national discourse since leaving office, warned that continued deterioration of security could erode public confidence in governance and democratic institutions.
The former president also turned his criticism to the National Assembly of Nigeria, faulting lawmakers over the longstanding controversy surrounding the determination of their salaries and allowances.
“The elected members of our National Assembly have no right to fix their own salary and their own emolument, describing the practice as inconsistent with constitutional provisions and global standards, he said.
He emphasized that the responsibility for determining remuneration for public office holders lies solely with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, warning that any deviation from this process undermines transparency and accountability.
“It’s not in our constitution for them to do that. It’s the Revenue Mobilisation and Allocation Commission that should do it,” he added.
comments are expected to reignite debate over governance, fiscal responsibility, and institutional reforms, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship, rising inflation, and concerns over public sector spending.
While the presidency has yet to officially respond to the former leader’s remarks, government officials have previously maintained that efforts are ongoing to address insecurity through military operations, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with local and international partners.
The latest intervention by Obasanjo adds to a growing list of high-profile voices calling for urgent and decisive action to tackle insecurity and strengthen public trust in government institutions.