SUNTV Global Channel | March 27, 2026 (Opinion)
A former presidential aspirant, SKC Ogbonnia, has issued a stark warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, cautioning that Nigeria risks sliding into the same destabilising path as countries like Iraq and Libya if insecurity is not urgently addressed.
In a strongly worded opinion, Ogbonnia expressed concern over what he described as the Federal Government’s inadequate response to the worsening wave of terrorism across the country. He argued that persistent banditry in the North-West and North-Central, insurgency by Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, and widespread kidnappings nationwide have created a dangerous national crisis.
According to him, the situation has been further complicated by allegations from prominent Nigerians suggesting possible state complicity or negligence in tackling insecurity.
Ogbonnia referenced statements by notable figures such as former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who have both publicly criticised the government’s handling of security. He also cited controversial remarks by Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi, who claimed that authorities possess intelligence on terrorist groups but have failed to act decisively.
Adding to the concerns, activist Naja’atu Mohammed was mentioned as alleging that meaningful security reforms could threaten powerful interests within the system.
The opinion warns that Nigeria’s current trajectory—marked by insecurity and perceived weak governance—mirrors conditions that previously led to foreign interventions in countries like Iraq and Libya, with devastating long-term consequences.
Ogbonnia further pointed to increasing international attention on Nigeria’s security situation, including reported U.S. counterterrorism activities, as a sign that global powers may already be taking strategic interest.
He cautioned that any foreign military intervention, while often justified on security grounds, historically brings prolonged instability and suffering for ordinary citizens rather than lasting peace.
Despite acknowledging that insecurity predates the current administration, Ogbonnia argued that the crisis has intensified since 2023 and requires urgent, decisive leadership.
He called on the government to prioritise dismantling networks fueling terrorism and to shift focus from political ambitions to national security.
The opinion also urged opposition groups and civil society organisations to intensify efforts in holding leadership accountable, stressing that failure to act could expose Nigeria to severe internal and external consequences.
Ogbonnia concluded with a strong warning: continued inaction could not only define the Tinubu administration as a failure but also open the door to the kind of foreign interventions that have left lasting scars across parts of the Middle East.
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