Insecurity: Governors, Northern Monarchs Decry Non-implementation Of Past Recommendations

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has opened the 8th Northern Traditional Rulers Council Executive Meeting in Jigawa State. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to collaborating with council members to tackle the security challenges affecting the region.

At the opening session, traditional rulers from the 19 states of the region and the northern  state governors expressed concern over the deepening security crisis and the failure to implement previous recommendations and suggestions for a way out that now made every one vulnerable in the region.

In his speech, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that his administration fully recognises the strategic role of traditional institutions and remains committed to deepening engagement with them in advancing peace, security, national cohesion, and development.

President Tinubu noted that peace remains the foundation of development and prosperity. He added that without peace, development becomes difficult; without unity, progress cannot be sustained. The pursuit of both must remain a collective responsibility.

He assured the traditional rulers and the entire people of the region and Nigeria at large that his government will leave no stone unturned in its quest to tackle the country’s security, social, and economic challenges, and reposition the nation on the path to prosperity and happiness.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, expressed dismay that previous resolutions made by the governors’ forum regarding the security challenge have remained mere paperwork.

“In 2025, we passed a resolution at the Northern Governors Forum to adopt a common approach to tackling the security challenge. One year later, the resolution is still on the drawing board.”

He noted that the recent death of General Rabe (retired) at the hands of bandits, along with the killing of many lawmakers, traditional rulers, and many other Nigerians, shows that today no one is safe, and they will not be safe until everyone is safe.

“To address the security, poverty, and educational challenges in the region, we must match our talk with action. History will not judge us by the number of meetings we hold, but by the actions we take to secure a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria for future generations,” the NGF chairman stated.

On his side, the chief host and Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, said the role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and stability is very integral to Nigerian society.

He revealed that before the coming of colonialists, during the colonial regime, and up to the present day, the traditional institution has been a custodian of norms and cultural values. As it is the institution closest to the community, any sustainable policy on peace and development must give it deserving  recognition and engagement.

Governor Namadi assured the NTRC that his government will continue to promote, implement, and advocate for the implementation of all practical suggestions and resolutions made by the council  for the sustainable development of the region and Nigeria at large.

However, in his opening remarks, the chairman of the council and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, challenged the governors and the federal government to use their available resources to tackle the security challenge, which has reached an alarming stage in the region.

His Eminence added that security challenges in the region, from militancy, banditry, cattle rustling, and communal clashes—have been causing trauma to children and women, displacing millions, and denying farmers access to their farmland. He said this is very disheartening.

The Sultan maintained that they have been offering suggestions and ideas on how best to tackle the challenge, but the implementation of those ideas appears to be in limbo.

“We traditional rulers have no resources, weapons, or security formations to confront these multidimensional security challenges ravaging our region. But we have ourselves to offer advice and prayers. Therefore, it is time for the authorities to act in the right direction.”

“We will continue to interact among ourselves and engage the government on the way out of this social and security quagmire until it becomes history,” the Sultan stated.

On his side, the Inspector General of Police, who was physically present at the occasion, Mr. Tunde Disu, said the Nigeria police have strengthened their collaboration with traditional rulers through intelligence gathering and useful information for maintaining security and order in Nigeria.

The IGP further stated that security is a shared responsibility. The NTRC, as the custodian of cultural and moral values, has a better understanding of the complex nature of their communities and the challenges around them. Therefore, he assured the council of his commitment to work hand in hand with them to enhance peace and security in the region and Nigeria at large.

The meeting brought together traditional rulers, government officials, and key stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria to discuss strategies for promoting peace, unity, and development in the region.