Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has strongly criticized Nigerian politicians for exploiting insecurity to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration and state governors.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2024 Annual General Conference held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Okonjo-Iweala, a former finance minister under President Goodluck Jonathan, condemned the use of insecurity as a political tool.
“We are all aware that security has been weaponized in our country by political actors, contributing to the challenges we currently face,” she remarked. “Some politicians believe the best way to undermine their opponents is to instigate insecurity, making it seem as though they are incapable of governing, regardless of the devastating consequences for innocent Nigerians.”
She called for an end to this destructive tactic, stressing that Nigeria’s socio-economic progress is being severely hampered by the ongoing security crisis. Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the need for advanced technological solutions to combat the theft of national assets, which further exacerbates the country’s challenges.
“We cannot achieve socio-economic development without security,” she said. “The theft of national assets must be stopped, and we have the technology to do so. There should be no more excuses for inaction.”
Her comments come amid the persistent and deadly insecurity plaguing Nigeria, which has been further complicated by political maneuvering.
