Set Aside Politics, Unite Against Insecurity, Kwankwaso Appeals to Nigerians

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Dr. Iliyasu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged Nigerians to refrain from politicizing security matters, warning that such actions are obstructing the federal government’s efforts to address insecurity.

Speaking during a press conference in Kano, Kwankwaso praised the Ministry of Defence for its support of the military’s relocation to Sokoto, aimed at combating banditry and insurgency. He expressed concern that political actors were exploiting security issues for personal gain, which, he argued, is undermining national security efforts.

Kwankwaso criticized those attempting to create a rift between former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle and Aminu Sani Jaji, the representative for Birnin Magaji/Kauran Namoda Federal Constituency. He lauded Matawalle’s initiative to offer a N20 million reward for information leading to the capture of bandits, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

“Initially, people were condemning the Ministry of Defence for inaction. Now that steps have been taken to combat terrorists, the same individuals are criticizing these efforts. This is sheer hypocrisy,” Kwankwaso said.

He further accused those politicizing security of being beneficiaries of terrorism, adding, “People are dying at the hands of terrorists. The situation was dire, but now that the ministry is taking action—killing about 80 terrorists just yesterday—how can any reasonable person condemn this?”

Kwankwaso called on Nigerians to unite in support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Ministry of Defence’s efforts to tackle terrorism. He warned that those criticizing the government’s security initiatives are more interested in political gains ahead of the 2027 elections than in the well-being of the nation.

Additionally, Kwankwaso urged northerners to cease infighting, stating that internal conflicts were stalling the region’s development. He emphasized the need for solidarity and collective action to overcome the challenges of insecurity.