Former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, has condemned state governors who blame the Federal Government for insecurity in their domains, labeling such complaints as either deceptive or indicative of incompetence.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 at the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Saturday, Aliyu emphasized that governors must take full responsibility for security challenges within their states rather than "crying" to the federal government for assistance.
Recalling his tenure, Aliyu said, “As governor of Niger State, I understood the importance of the DSS. Their daily reports were instrumental in combating banditry. We even deployed a helicopter to patrol our borders based on their advice, which yielded significant results.”
Aliyu criticized governors who fail to act on security reports, stating, “If a governor claims he’s not in charge of security, he’s either lying, incompetent, or clueless about his duties. Many don’t even bother to read the security reports submitted to them. As Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, I ensured that security reports were prioritized, and I followed up promptly if delayed.”
He further questioned the utilization of security votes, funds allocated to governors to enhance local security efforts. “Security votes are meant to assist security agencies. If you’re complaining to the federal government, where are those funds going?” Aliyu asked.
The former governor's remarks highlight the ongoing debate over the roles and responsibilities of state governors in addressing Nigeria's security challenges.
