Lack of focused leadership responsible for insecurity – Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has blamed the insecurity in the country on lack of focused leadership and reformed security governance.

Speaking at Chatham House in London on Monday, the former governor of Anambra State proposed a reform of the security structure in the country where the federal, state and local governments would have policing structures.

Obi also highlighted the need for institutions to be able to provide strong leadership, and coordination capabilities, and engage collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders to mutually reinforce values.

He said, “This forms the first and most important thrust of my governance priorities without which the rest may not be achieved. To secure Nigeria, end banditry and insurgency, and unite our dear nation to manage our diversity, such that no one is left behind.

The growing insecurity in Nigeria is not because the enemy is formidable; it is rather because of lack of focused leadership, ineffective security governance structure and poor coordination from the centre. All these need to be addressed by first projecting strong leadership signals that allow both state and non-state actors to be mobilised around a single vision.

Then, by pursuing a robust reform of the security governance structure with a strong coordinating mechanism that assures that all levels of government – federal, state, and local (with a three-level policing structure) – are aligned with strong collaboration with partners from both the private sector and development groups to provide the required services and deliver results for every Nigerian.

“Once this is done, it is also important to have a single, clear, coherent, and consistent communication system to keep the government accountable, and citizens engaged and involved in the development process.”